Cancer vaccine compositions and methods of using the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods and compositions for the stimulation of immune responses. In particular, the present invention provides nanoemulsion compositions and methods of using the same for the induction of immune responses (e.g., innate and adaptive immune responses (e.g., for generation of host immunity against an environmental pathogen)). Compositions and methods of the present invention find use in, among other things, clinical (e.g. therapeutic and preventative medicine (e.g., vaccination)) and research applications.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/115,421, filed on Nov. 17, 2008, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods and compositions for thestimulation of immune responses. In particular, the present inventionprovides nanoemulsion compositions (e.g., vaccines) and methods of usingthe same for the induction of immune responses (e.g., innate andadaptive immune responses (e.g., for generation of host immunity againstcancer (e.g., a tumor))). Compositions and methods of the presentinvention find use in, among other things, clinical (e.g. therapeuticand preventative medicine (e.g., vaccination)) and researchapplications.

BACKGROUND

Success in cancer therapy has conventionally been accomplished bysurgical reduction of a tumor mass and subsequent chemo- and/orradiotherapy. This strategy can reduce the tumor and, in less advancedstages, often results in complete remission. Unfortunately, theprognosis for more advanced tumors has changed little over the past 50years and a significant proportion of cancer-related deaths are causedby subsequent metastases. New prophylactic and therapeutic treatmentsare needed to combat the increasing occurrence of cancer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods and compositions for thestimulation of immune responses. In particular, the present inventionprovides nanoemulsion compositions (e.g., vaccines) and methods of usingthe same for the induction of immune responses (e.g., innate andadaptive immune responses (e.g., for generation of host immunity againstcancer (e.g., a tumor))). Compositions and methods of the presentinvention find use in, among other things, clinical (e.g. therapeuticand preventative medicine (e.g., vaccination)) and researchapplications.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provideda composition for stimulating a cancer specific immune responsecomprising: a nanoemulsion; and a cancer immunogen. The invention is notlimited to any particular nanoemulsion. Indeed, a variety ofnanoemulsions may be utilized including, but not limited to, thosedescribed herein. In some embodiments, the cancer immunogen comprisescancer cells. In some embodiments, the cancer cells have undergonefreeze-thaw lysis. In some embodiments, the cancer cells have beenexposed to UV radiation. In some embodiments, the cancer immunogencomprises one or a plurality of tumor associated antigens. In someembodiments, the tumor associated antigens are recombinantly produced.In some embodiments, the tumor associated antigens are purified. In someembodiments, the composition further comprises an adjuvant. The presentinvention is not limited to any particular adjuvant. Indeed, a varietyof adjuvants can be utilized including those disclosed herein. In someembodiments, the adjuvant induces a T helper cell type 1 immune responsewhen administered to a subject. In some embodiments, the composition isformulated for nasal administration. In some embodiments, thecomposition is formulated for other routes of administration including,but not limited to, intradermal, subcutaneous, transdermal,intramuscular, mucosal or other route of administration.

The present invention also provides a method of inducing a cancerspecific immune response in a subject comprising: providing acomposition for stimulating a cancer specific immune response comprisinga nanoemulsion and a cancer immunogen; and a subject, and administeringthe composition to the subject under conditions such that the subjectproduces a cancer specific immune response. In some embodiments, themethod decreases the incidence of cancer metastasis in the subject. Thepresent invention is not limited by the type of cancer to which animmune response is generated. Indeed, an immune response can begenerated against a variety of different types of cancer utilizing thecompositions and methods described herein including, but not limited to,breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer,lung cancer, renal cancer, melanoma, kidney cancer, prostate cancer,brain cancer, sarcomas, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments,the cancer specific immune response provides an immunoprotective (e.g.,comprising a memory immune response) and/or therapeutic response in thesubject. In some embodiments, the method is utilized post-surgicalremoval of cancer in the subject. In some embodiments, the methodproduces a T helper cell type 1 response in the subject. In someembodiments, the method induces memory cytotoxic T lymphocytes in thesubject. In some embodiments, the composition is administered viaintranasal instillation. In some embodiments, the administration of thecomposition results in cancer immunogen delivered to immunological sitesin the subject. In some embodiments, the immunological sites are thesinus, lymph nodes, and/or thymus, although the present invention is notso limited. In some embodiments, the subject is substantiallysusceptible to recurrence of cancer.

The present invention also provides a method of treating a diseasecomprising the step of administering to a subject a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising an immunologically effective amount of acomposition comprising a nanoemulsion and a cancer immunogen. In someembodiments, the disease is a proliferative cell disorder (e.g., one ofthe various types of proliferative disorders described herein). In someembodiments, the disease is cancer. The present invention is not limitedby the type of cancer treated. Indeed, a variety of different types ofcancer are treatable utilizing the compositions and methods describedherein including, but not limited to, breast cancer, ovarian cancer,endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, renal cancer,melanoma, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, brain cancer, sarcomas, or acombination thereof.

In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method ofmodulating an immune response to cancer in a subject comprisingcombining a cancer antigen/immunogen with a nanoemulsion composition ofthe present invention and administering an effective amount to thesubject to modulate an immune response to cancer in the subject.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method ofgenerating an immune response in a subject, including a human,comprising administering thereto an immunogenic nanoemulsion vaccine ofthe present invention (e.g., independently and/or in combination withone or more other therapeutics (e.g., anti-cancer drugs and/orchemotherapeutics). The immune response attained may be a humoral immuneresponse and/or a cell-mediated immune response.

In some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a kitfor preparing an immunogenic nanoemulsion vaccine composition,comprising: (a) means for containing a nanoemulsion; and (b) means forcontaining at least one cancer antigen/immunogen; and (c) means forcombining the nanoemulsion and at least one cancer antigen/immunogen toproduce the immunogenic composition. The present invention providesseveral advantages over conventional vaccines including, but not limitedto, ease of formulation; effectiveness of adjuvanticity; lack ofunwanted toxicity and/or host morbidity; and compatibility ofantigens/immunogens with the nanoemulsion composition.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of inducingan immune response to one or a plurality of cancer immunogens (e.g., twoor more (e.g., three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or moreimmunogens), comprising providing a nanoemulsion; and one or a pluralityof cancer immunogens; combining the nanoemulsion with the cancerimmunogens; and administering the combined nanoemulsion and immunogensto a subject under conditions such that the subject produces an immuneresponse to the immunogens. In some embodiments, administering comprisesmucosal administration. In some embodiments, inducing an immune responseinduces immunity to each of the plurality of immunogens in the subject.In some embodiments, immunity comprises systemic immunity. In someembodiments, immunity comprises mucosal immunity. In some embodiments,the immune response comprises increased expression of IFN-γ in thesubject. In some embodiments, the immune response comprises increasedexpression of TNF-α in the subject. In some embodiments, the immuneresponse comprises a systemic IgG response to the immunogens. In someembodiments, the immune response comprises a mucosal IgA response to theimmunogens. In some embodiments, the composition comprises between 1 and500 μg (e.g., between 15 and 75, 75-150, 150-300, 300-500 or more μg) ofa recombinant cancer immunogen. The present invention is not limited tothis amount of immunogen. Indeed, a variety of doses of immunogen arecontemplated to be useful in the present invention.

The present invention further provides a kit comprising a vaccine, thevaccine comprising a nanoemulsion and one or more cancer immunogens, thenanoemulsion comprising an aqueous phase, an oil phase, and a solvent.In some embodiments, the kit further comprises instructions for usingthe kit for vaccinating a subject against the one or more immunogens.

The present invention is not limited to a particular oil. A variety ofoils are contemplated, including, but not limited to, soybean, avocado,squalene, olive, canola, corn, rapeseed, safflower, sunflower, fish,flavor, and water insoluble vitamins. The present invention is also notlimited to a particular solvent. A variety of solvents are contemplatedincluding, but not limited to, an alcohol (e.g., including, but notlimited to, methanol, ethanol, propanol, and octanol), glycerol,polyethylene glycol, and an organic phosphate based solvent.

In some embodiments, the emulsion further comprises a surfactant. Thepresent invention is not limited to a particular surfactant. A varietyof surfactants are contemplated including, but not limited to, nonionicand ionic surfactants (e.g., TRITON X-100; TWEEN 20; and TYLOXAPOL).

In certain embodiments, the emulsion further comprises a cationichalogen containing compound. The present invention is not limited to aparticular cationic halogen containing compound. A variety of cationichalogen containing compounds are contemplated including, but not limitedto, cetylpyridinium halides, cetyltrimethylammonium halides,cetyldimethylethylammonium halides, cetyldimethylbenzylammonium halides,cetyltributylphosphonium halides, dodecyltrimethylammonium halides, andtetradecyltrimethylammonium halides. The present invention is also notlimited to a particular halide. A variety of halides are contemplatedincluding, but not limited to, halide selected from the group consistingof chloride, fluoride, bromide, and iodide.

In still further embodiments, the emulsion further comprises aquaternary ammonium containing compound. The present invention is notlimited to a particular quaternary ammonium containing compound. Avariety of quaternary ammonium containing compounds are contemplatedincluding, but not limited to, Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride,dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, n-Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammoniumchloride, n-Alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, Dialkyldimethyl ammonium chloride, and n-Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammoniumchloride.

In still further embodiments, the present invention provides a method ofinducing immunity to one or more cancer immunogens, comprising providinga nanoemulsion adjuvant comprising an aqueous phase, an oil phase, and asolvent; and one or more immunogens; combining the emulsion with the oneor more cancer immunogens to generate a vaccine composition; andadministering the vaccine composition to a subject. In some embodiments,administering comprises contacting the vaccine composition with amucosal surface of the subject. For example, in some embodiments,administering comprises intranasal administration. In some preferredembodiments, the administering occurs under conditions such that thesubject generates immunity to the one or more cancer immunogens (e.g.,via generating humoral immune responses to the one or more immunogens).In some embodiments, immune responses in the subject comprise generationof antibodies to the immunogens. In some embodiments, the antibodiesgenerated comprise IgG and/or IgA antibodies. In some embodiments, theimmune responses generated in a subject via administration of ananoemulsion composition comprising a plurality of immunogens (e.g.,two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more immunogens) aresimilar to the immune responses that are generated in a subject viaadministration of a plurality of nanoemulsion compositions, wherein eachnanoemulsion composition comprises a single immunogen (e.g., the antigenspecific antibody titer levels in a subject administered a compositioncomprising plurality of immunogens is similar to the antigen specificantibody titer levels in a subject administered a plurality ofnanoemulsion compositions wherein each composition comprises a singleimmunogen).

The present invention is not limited by the nature of the immuneresponse generated. In some embodiments, a nanoemulsion vaccinedescribed herein stimulates and/or elicits an adaptive and/or acquiredimmune response in a host. In some embodiments, a nanoemulsion vaccineprovided herein skews an immune response toward a Th1 type response. Insome embodiments, a nanoemulsion vaccine provided herein skews an immuneresponse toward a Th2 type response. In some embodiments, a nanoemulsionvaccine provided herein provides a balanced Th1/Th2 response and/orpolarization (e.g., an IgG subclass distribution and cytokine responseindicative of a balanced Th1/Th2 response). Thus, a variety of immuneresponses may be generated and measured in a subject administered ananoemulsion vaccine of the present invention including, but not limitedto, activation, proliferation or differentiation of cells of the immunesystem (e.g., B cells, T cells, dendritic cells, antigen presentingcells (APCs), macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, etc.);up-regulated or down-regulated expression of markers and cytokines;stimulation of IgA, IgM, and/or IgG titers; splenomegaly (e.g.,increased spleen cellularity); hyperplasia, mixed cellular infiltratesin various organs, and/or other responses (e.g., of cells) of the immunesystem that can be assessed with respect to immune stimulation known inthe art. In some embodiments, administering comprises contacting amucosal surface of the subject with the vaccine. The present inventionis not limited by the mucosal surface contacted. In some preferredembodiments, the mucosal surface comprises nasal mucosa. In someembodiments, the mucosal surface comprises vaginal mucosa. In someembodiments, administrating comprises parenteral administration. Thepresent invention is not limited by the route chosen for administrationof a vaccine of the present invention. In some embodiments, inducing animmune response primes the immune system of a host to respond to (e.g.,to produce a Th1 and/or Th2 type response (e.g., thereby providingprotective immunity) one or cancer targets (e.g., cancer cells that haveotherwise evaded a host's immune system) in the host subject (e.g.,human or animal subject). In some embodiments, the immunity comprisessystemic immunity. In some embodiments, the immunity comprises mucosalimmunity. In some embodiments, the immune response comprises increasedexpression of IFN-γ and/or TNF-α in the subject. In some embodiments,the immune response comprises a systemic IgG response. In someembodiments, the immune response comprises a mucosal IgA response. Insome embodiments, the composition comprises a 10% nanoemulsion adjuvantsolution. However, the present invention is not limited to this amount(e.g., percentage) of nanoemulsion. For example, in some embodiments, acomposition comprises less than 10% nanoemulsion (e.g., 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%,5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1%). In some embodiments, a composition comprises morethan 10% nanoemulsion (e.g., 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 60%or more). In some embodiments, a vaccine of the present inventioncomprises any of the nanoemulsions described herein. In someembodiments, the nanoemulsion vaccine comprises W₂₀5EC. In someembodiments, the nanoemulsion vaccine comprises W₈₀5EC. In someembodiments, the nanoemulsion vaccine is X8P. In some embodiments, thenanoemulsion vaccine comprises P₄₀₇5EC. In some embodiments, immuneresponses resulting from administration of a nanoemulsion vaccineprotects the subject from displaying signs or symptoms of disease(cancer). In some embodiments, immune responses resulting fromadministration of a nanoemulsion vaccine protects a subject from cancermetastasis and/or cancer growth at a primary site. In some embodiments,a nanoemulsion vaccine comprises one or more adjuvants. The presentinvention is not limited by the type of adjuvant utilized. In someembodiments, the adjuvant is a CpG oligonucleotide. In some embodiments,the adjuvant is monophosphoryl lipid A. A number of other adjuvants thatfind use in the present invention are described herein. In someembodiments, the subject is a human. In some embodiments, immuneresponses resulting from administration of a nanoemulsion vaccinereduces the risk of recurrence of cancer in the subject (e.g., postsurgical removal of cancer from the subject).

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following figures form part of the present specification and areincluded to further demonstrate certain aspects and embodiments of thepresent invention. The invention may be better understood by referenceto one or more of these figures in combination with the description ofspecific embodiments presented herein.

FIG. 1 shows the overall changes in gene expression from microarrayanalysis. The number of genes which exhibited an increase or decrease ingene expression are indicated for each condition tested.

FIG. 2 shows changes in expression of genes associated with the mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. a) Data represent pattern ofgene expression grouped in the MAPK pathway. Red and pink colorsindicate over a 4-fold and 2-4-fold increase, respectively, in agene-specific transcript expression. Green color indicates more than a2-fold decrease in transcript expression. Changes in gene expressionwere computed in comparison to non-treated controls. The number of genesthat exhibited an increase or decrease in gene expression are indicatedfor each condition tested at 6 hours (b) and 24 hours (c).

FIG. 3 shows changes in expression of genes associated T cell receptor(TCR) pathway. a) Data represent pattern of gene expression grouped inthe TCR pathway. Red and pink colors indicate over a 4-fold and 2-4-foldincrease, respectively, in a gene-specific transcript expression. Greencolor indicates more than a 2-fold decrease in transcript expression.Changes in gene expression were computed in comparison to non-treatedcontrols. The number of genes that exhibited an increase or decrease ingene expression are indicated for each condition tested at 6 hours (b)and 24 hours (c).

FIG. 4 shows RNA expression of dendritic cell surface markers followingexposure of cells to NE for 6 or 24 hours. Pink color indicates anincrease in transcript expression as compared to non-treated controls,while the green indicates a decrease. Numbers reflect log 2 ofexpression change as compared to non-stimulated controls. DC40, CD80,CD83 and CD86 are dendritic cell maturation markers.

FIG. 5 provides a diagram depicting TLRs trigger a complex cascade ofevents that lead to the induction of a range of proinflammatory genes.

FIG. 6 provides mouse serum IgG levels at 9 weeks post intranasaladministration of OVA in W805EC, W805E or P4075EC, and controls.

FIG. 7 provides mouse serum IgG levels at 9 weeks post intranasaladministration of BSA in W805EC, W805E or P4075EC, and controls.

FIG. 8 provides mouse serum IgG levels at 2 weeks post intranasaladministration of lysozyme in W805EC, W805E or P4075EC, and controls.

FIG. 9 shows microarray analysis (hierarchical clustering) of changes ingene expression in (A) JAWS II dendritic cells and (B) bone marrowderived dendritic cells (BMDC) administered W805EC, P4075EC orPMA/ionomycin.

FIG. 10 shows that nanoemulsion adjuvant possesses ligand activity fortoll-like receptors (TLRs) and activates NF-kB.

FIG. 11 shows NF-kB activation in human HEK293 clones engineered toexpress specific TLRs.

FIG. 12 shows that nasally administered NE can traffic material to thesinus, lymph nodes and thymus.

FIG. 13 shows a picture of a healthy lung and a lung with MC-38metastases harvested from mice.

FIG. 14 shows inhibition of lung metastases in subjects immunized withNE+Ag.

FIG. 15 shows flow cytometric analysis of Foxp3⁺ T_(regs) in mediastinallymph nodes leucocytes (A) and CD4⁺ lymphocyte population (B) insubjects immunized with NE+Ag.

FIG. 16 shows the mean number of metastases in B6 mice vaccinated withMC38 cell lysate and challenged IV with MC38 cells.

FIG. 17 shows the percentage of FoxP3 (A) and IFN-γ (B) positive cellsin CD4 population and (C) percentage of IFN-γ positive cells in CD8population.

FIG. 18 shows rejection of tumor by animals immunized with ovalbuminprior to the challenge (50 day survival without signs of tumor).

FIG. 19 shows draining lymph nodes cells stained with CD8 antibodies andMHC I OVA pentamer.

FIG. 20 shows the percentages of different subsets of cells isolatedfrom draining lymph nodes.

FIG. 21 shows the end titer of ovalbumin specific IgG in sera fromvaccinated mice.

FIG. 22 shows the end titer of ovalbumin specific IgG2c in sera fromvaccinated mice.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides compositions and methods for thestimulation of immune responses. In particular, the present inventionprovides nanoemulsion compositions (e.g., vaccines (e.g., cancervaccines)) and methods of using the same for the induction of immuneresponses (e.g., innate and/or adaptive immune responses (e.g., forgeneration of host immunity against a tumor)).

In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions andmethods for the stimulation of immune responses. Specifically, thepresent invention provides nanoemulsion (NE) cancer vaccine compositionsand methods of using the same (e.g., individually or together with oneor more compositions (e.g., chemotherapeutics and/or anti-cancer drugs)and/or methods (e.g., T regulatory cell depletion) to induce an immuneresponse in a subject (e.g., to prime, enable and/or enhance an immuneresponse (e.g., innate and/or adaptive immune responses (e.g., forgeneration of host immunity against a tumor)). Compositions and methodsof the present invention find use in, among other things, clinical (e.g.therapeutic and preventative medicine (e.g., vaccination)) and researchapplications. In some embodiments, a NE cancer vaccine of the inventioncomprises a NE and whole cancer cells (e.g., that have undergonefreeze-thaw lysis). In some embodiments, a NE cancer vaccine of theinvention comprises a NE and homogenized cells (e.g., cancer cells(e.g., a cancer cell line or genetically modified cancer cells). In someembodiments, a NE cancer vaccine of the invention comprises a NE andcells (e.g., cancer cells (e.g., that have been exposed to UVradiation). In some embodiments, a NE cancer vaccine of the inventioncomprises a NE and one or a plurality of tumor associated antigens. Insome embodiments, a NE cancer vaccine of the invention comprises a NEand cells modified (e.g., genetically modified) to express (e.g.,over-express) one or a plurality of tumor associated antigens. In someembodiments, one or a plurality of protein components (e.g., isolatedand/or purified and/or recombinant protein) from one or a plurality ofcancer cells are mixed with NE and utilized to induce an immune responsein a subject. In some embodiments, a NE cancer vaccine of the inventioncomprises one or more adjuvants (e.g., a nanoemulsion adjuvant and/ornon-nanoemulsion adjuvant).

Although an understanding of the mechanism is not necessary to practicethe present invention and the present invention is not limited to anyparticular mechanism of action, in some embodiments, NE cancer vaccinesof the present invention preserve important antigenic epitopes (e.g.,recognizable by a subject's immune system), stabilizing theirhydrophobic and hydrophilic components in the oil and water interface ofthe emulsion (e.g., thereby providing one or more immunogens (e.g.,stabilized antigens (e.g., tumor associated antigens (TAAs)) againstwhich a subject's immune system can mount an immune response). In otherembodiments, because NE formulations penetrate the mucosa (e.g., throughpores), the vaccine formulations carry NE cancer vaccine components(e.g., immunogens (e.g., TAAs) to submucosal locations (e.g., the sinus,submandibular lymph nodes, thymus, etc. (e.g., comprising dendriticcells (e.g., dendritic cells involved in initiating and/or stimulatingan immune response)). Although an understanding of the mechanism is notnecessary to practice the present invention and the present invention isnot limited to any particular mechanism of action, in some embodiments,combining a NE and cells (e.g., cancer cells (e.g., lysed, UVirradiated, homogenized, genetically modified, etc.) and/or proteincomponents (e.g., isolated and/or purified and/or recombinant proteinfrom one or a plurality of cancer cells) stabilizes the cells and/orprotein components and immunogenic portions thereof thereby providing aproper immunogenic material for generation of an immune response.

Dendritic cells avidly phagocytose nanoemulsion (NE) oil droplets andthis may, in some embodiments, provide a means to prime, enable and/orenhance an immune response (e.g., an anti-tumor immune response) towarda Th1 and/or Th2 type response, as well as to internalize immunogens(e.g., antigenic proteins or peptide fragments thereof present in theNE) for antigen presentation. While some vaccines rely on inflammatorytoxins or other immune stimuli for adjuvant activity (See, e.g.,Holmgren and Czerkinsky, Nature Med. 2005, 11; 45-53), NEs have not beenshown to be inflammatory when placed on the skin or mucous membranes instudies on animals and in humans. Thus, although an understanding of themechanism is not necessary to practice the present invention and thepresent invention is not limited to any particular mechanism of action,in some embodiments, a composition comprising a NE of the presentinvention (e.g., a composition comprising NE cancer vaccine) acts as a“physical” adjuvant (e.g., that transports and/or presents immunogens(e.g., TAAs) to the immune system. In some embodiments, mucosaladministration of a composition of the present invention generatesmucosal (e.g., signs of mucosal immunity (e.g., generation of IgAantibody titers)) as well as systemic immunity. In some embodiments,mucosal administration of a NE vaccine of the invention generates aninnate immune response (e.g., activates Toll-like receptor signalingand/or activation of NF-kB) in a subject.

Both cellular and humoral immunity play a role in protection againstabnormal cellular growth and both can be induced with the NE vaccineformulations of the present invention. Thus, in some embodiments,administration (e.g., mucosal administration) of a nanoemulsion vaccineof the present invention primes, enables and/or enhances induction ofboth humoral (e.g., development of specific antibodies) and cellular(e.g., cytotoxic T lymphocyte) immune responses (e.g., against a tumorand/or against cancer metastasis). In some embodiments, nanoemulsionsdescribed herein are utilized in a vaccine (e.g., a cancer vaccine(e.g., a prophylactic vaccine and/or a therapeutic vaccine). Thus, insome embodiments, the present invention provides NE cancer vaccines andmethods of utilizing the same to prevent tumor metastasis. In someembodiments, the present invention provides NE cancer vaccines andmethods of utilizing the same to skew a subject's immune response towardan anti-tumor immune response (e.g., toward a Th1 type immune response).In some embodiments, the present invention provides NE cancer vaccinesand methods of utilizing the same to prime professional antigenpresenting cells (APCs)(e.g., to present cancer associated antigens to asubject's immune system). In some embodiments, the present inventionprovides NE cancer vaccines and methods of utilizing the same to expanda subject's CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte population (e.g.,anti-cancer/tumor CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte population). In someembodiments, the present invention provides NE cancer vaccines andmethods of utilizing the same to expand a subject's CD4+ T cells (e.g.,involved in generation of CD8+ anti-cancer memory cells). In someembodiments, the present invention provides NE cancer vaccines andmethods of utilizing the same to suppress development of T regulatorycells (Tregs). In some embodiments, NE cancer vaccines provided hereinare utilized as mucosal vaccine (e.g., for administration to the nasalmucosa).

DEFINITIONS

To facilitate an understanding of the present invention, a number ofterms and phrases are defined below:

As used herein the terms “disease” and “pathologic condition” are usedinterchangeably, unless indicated otherwise herein, to describe adeviation from the condition regarded as normal or average for membersof a species or group (e.g., humans), and which is detrimental to anaffected individual under conditions that are not inimical to themajority of individuals of that species or group. Such a deviation canmanifest as a state, signs, and/or symptoms (e.g., diarrhea, nausea,fever, pain, blisters, boils, rash, immune suppression, inflammation,etc.) that are associated with any impairment of the normal state of asubject or of any of its organs or tissues that interrupts or modifiesthe performance of normal functions. A disease or pathological conditionmay be caused by or result from contact with a microorganism (e.g., apathogen or other infective agent (e.g., a virus or bacteria)), may beresponsive to environmental factors (e.g., malnutrition, industrialhazards, and/or climate), may be responsive to an inherent defect of theorganism (e.g., genetic anomalies) or to combinations of these and otherfactors.

The terms “host” or “subject,” as used herein, refer to an individual tobe treated by (e.g., administered) the compositions and methods of thepresent invention. Subjects include, but are not limited to, mammals(e.g., murines, simians, equines, bovines, porcines, canines, felines,and the like), and most preferably includes humans. In the context ofthe invention, the term “subject” generally refers to an individual whowill be administered or who has been administered one or morecompositions of the present invention (e.g., a composition for inducingan immune response).

The terms “emulsion” and “nanoemulsion” as used herein, includes classicoil-in-water or water in oil dispersions or droplets, as well as otherlipid structures that can form as a result of hydrophobic forces thatdrive apolar residues (e.g., long hydrocarbon chains) away from waterand drive polar head groups toward water, when a water immiscible oilyphase is mixed with an aqueous phase. These other lipid structuresinclude, but are not limited to, unilamellar, paucilamellar, andmultilamellar lipid vesicles, micelles, and lamellar phases. Similarly,the term “nanoemulsion,” as used herein, refers to oil-in-waterdispersions comprising small lipid structures. For example, in someembodiments, the nanoemulsions comprise an oil phase having dropletswith a mean particle size of approximately 0.1 to 5 microns (e.g., about150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500 nm or larger in diameter),although smaller and larger particle sizes are contemplated. The terms“emulsion” and “nanoemulsion” are often used herein, interchangeably, torefer to the nanoemulsions of the present invention.

As used herein, the terms “contact,” “contacted,” “expose,” “exposed,”and “mixed” when used in reference to a nanoemulsion and other material(e.g., cancer cells), refer to bringing one or more nanoemulsions intocontact with the material. The present invention is not limited by theamount or type of nanoemulsion used for microorganism inactivation. Avariety of nanoemulsions that find use in the present invention aredescribed herein and elsewhere (e.g., nanoemulsions described in U.S.Pat. Apps. 20020045667 and 20040043041, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,015,832,6,506,803, 6,635,676, and 6,559,189, each of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety for all purposes). Ratios andamounts of nanoemulsion and cancerous material (e.g., cancer cells,proteins, antigenic determinants, etc.) are contemplated in the presentinvention including, but not limited to, those described herein.

The term “surfactant” refers to any molecule having both a polar headgroup, which energetically prefers solvation by water, and a hydrophobictail that is not well solvated by water. The term “cationic surfactant”refers to a surfactant with a cationic head group. The term “anionicsurfactant” refers to a surfactant with an anionic head group.

The terms “Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance Index Number” and “HLB IndexNumber” refer to an index for correlating the chemical structure ofsurfactant molecules with their surface activity. The HLB Index Numbermay be calculated by a variety of empirical formulas as described, forexample, by Meyers, (See, e.g., Meyers, Surfactant Science andTechnology, VCH Publishers Inc., New York, pp. 231-245 (1992)),incorporated herein by reference. As used herein where appropriate, theHLB Index Number of a surfactant is the HLB Index Number assigned tothat surfactant in McCutcheon's Volume 1: Emulsifiers and DetergentsNorth American Edition, 1996 (incorporated herein by reference). The HLBIndex Number ranges from 0 to about 70 or more for commercialsurfactants. Hydrophilic surfactants with high solubility in water andsolubilizing properties are at the high end of the scale, whilesurfactants with low solubility in water that are good solubilizers ofwater in oils are at the low end of the scale.

As used herein the term “interaction enhancers” refers to compounds thatact to enhance the interaction of an emulsion with a microorganism(e.g., with a cell wall of a bacteria (e.g., a Gram negative bacteria)or with a viral envelope (e.g., Vaccinia virus envelope)). Contemplatedinteraction enhancers include, but are not limited to, chelating agents(e.g., ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA),ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)tetraacetic acid (EGTA), and the like)and certain biological agents (e.g., bovine serum albumin (BSA) and thelike).

The terms “buffer” or “buffering agents” refer to materials, that whenadded to a solution, cause the solution to resist changes in pH.

The terms “reducing agent” and “electron donor” refer to a material thatdonates electrons to a second material to reduce the oxidation state ofone or more of the second material's atoms.

The term “monovalent salt” refers to any salt in which the metal (e.g.,Na, K, or Li) has a net 1+ charge in solution (i.e., one more protonthan electron).

The term “divalent salt” refers to any salt in which a metal (e.g., Mg,Ca, or Sr) has a net 2+ charge in solution.

The terms “chelator” or “chelating agent” refer to any materials havingmore than one atom with a lone pair of electrons that are available tobond to a metal ion.

The term “solution” refers to an aqueous or non-aqueous mixture.

As used herein, the term “a composition for inducing an immune response”refers to a composition that, once administered to a subject (e.g.,once, twice, three times or more (e.g., separated by weeks, months oryears)), stimulates, generates and/or elicits an immune response in thesubject (e.g., resulting in total or partial immunity to and/orclearance of an immunogen (e.g., tumor) and/or prevents growth and/ormetastasis of an immunogen (e.g., tumor) in a subject). In someembodiments of the invention, the composition comprises a nanoemulsionand an antigen/immunogen (e.g., whole cancer cells (e.g., that haveundergone freeze-thaw lysis and/or other type of membrane disruption),homogenized cells (e.g., cancer cells (e.g., a cancer cell line orgenetically modified cancer cells), cells (e.g., cancer cells (e.g.,that have been exposed to UV radiation), one or a plurality of tumorassociated antigens (e.g., recombinant and/or purified proteinantigens), cells modified (e.g., genetically modified) to express (e.g.,over-express) one or a plurality of tumor associated antigens, one or aplurality of protein components (e.g., isolated and/or purified and/orrecombinant protein) from one or a plurality of cancer cells, and/or oneor more adjuvants (e.g., a nanoemulsion adjuvant and/or non-nanoemulsionadjuvant).

In some embodiments, the composition comprising a nanoemulsion and animmunogen comprises one or more other compounds or agents including, butnot limited to, therapeutic agents, physiologically tolerable liquids,gels, carriers, diluents, adjuvants, excipients, salicylates, steroids,immunosuppressants, immunostimulants, antibodies, cytokines,antibiotics, binders, fillers, preservatives, stabilizing agents,emulsifiers, and/or buffers. An immune response may be an innate (e.g.,a non-specific) immune response or a learned (e.g., acquired) immuneresponse. Thus, in some preferred embodiments, a composition comprisinga nanoemulsion and an immunogen is administered to a subject as avaccine (e.g., to prevent or attenuate a disease (e.g., cancer (e.g., byproviding to the subject total or partial immunity against the diseaseor the total or partial attenuation (e.g., suppression) of a sign,symptom or condition of the disease))).

As used herein, the term “adjuvant” refers to any substance that canstimulate an immune response (e.g., a mucosal immune response). Someadjuvants can cause activation of a cell of the immune system (e.g., anadjuvant can cause an immune cell to produce and secrete a cytokine).Examples of adjuvants that can cause activation of a cell of the immunesystem include, but are not limited to, the nanoemulsion formulationsdescribed herein, saponins purified from the bark of the Q. saponariatree, such as QS21 (a glycolipid that elutes in the 21st peak with HPLCfractionation; Aquila Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., Worcester, Mass.);poly(di(carboxylatophenoxy)phosphazene (PCPP polymer; Virus ResearchInstitute, USA); derivatives of lipopolysaccharides such asmonophosphoryl lipid A (MPL; Ribi ImmunoChem Research, Inc., Hamilton,Mont.), muramyl dipeptide (MDP; Ribi) and threonyl-muramyl dipeptide(t-MDP; Ribi); OM-174 (a glucosamine disaccharide related to lipid A; OMPharma SA, Meyrin, Switzerland); and Leishmania elongation factor (apurified Leishmania protein; Corixa Corporation, Seattle, Wash.).Traditional adjuvants are well known in the art and include, forexample, aluminum phosphate or hydroxide salts (“alum”). In someembodiments, nanoemulsion cancer vaccine compositions are administeredwith one or more adjuvants (e.g., to skew the immune response towards aTh1 and/or Th2 type response).

As used herein, the term “an amount effective to induce an immuneresponse” (e.g., of a composition for inducing an immune response),refers to the dosage level required (e.g., when administered to asubject) to stimulate, generate and/or elicit an immune response in thesubject. An effective amount can be administered in one or moreadministrations (e.g., via the same or different route), applications ordosages and is not intended to be limited to a particular formulation oradministration route.

As used herein, the term “under conditions such that said subjectgenerates an immune response” refers to any qualitative or quantitativeinduction, generation, and/or stimulation of an immune response (e.g.,innate or acquired).

As used herein, the term “immune response” refers to a response by theimmune system of a subject. For example, immune responses include, butare not limited to, a detectable alteration (e.g., increase) inToll-like receptor (TLR) activation, lymphokine (e.g., cytokine (e.g.,Th1 or Th2 type cytokines) or chemokine) expression and/or secretion,macrophage activation, dendritic cell activation, T cell activation(e.g., CD4+ or CD8+ T cells), NK cell activation, and/or B cellactivation (e.g., antibody generation and/or secretion). Additionalexamples of immune responses include binding of an immunogen (e.g.,antigen (e.g., immunogenic polypeptide)) to an MHC molecule and inducinga cytotoxic T lymphocyte (“CTL”) response, inducing a B cell response(e.g., antibody production), and/or T-helper lymphocyte response, and/ora delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response against the antigen fromwhich the immunogenic polypeptide is derived, expansion (e.g., growth ofa population of cells) of cells of the immune system (e.g., T cells, Bcells (e.g., of any stage of development (e.g., plasma cells), andincreased processing and presentation of antigen by antigen presentingcells. An immune response may be to immunogens that the subject's immunesystem recognizes as foreign (e.g., non-self antigens frommicroorganisms (e.g., pathogens), or self-antigens recognized asforeign). Thus, it is to be understood that, as used herein, “immuneresponse” refers to any type of immune response, including, but notlimited to, innate immune responses (e.g., activation of Toll receptorsignaling cascade) cell-mediated immune responses (e.g., responsesmediated by T cells (e.g., antigen-specific T cells) and non-specificcells of the immune system) and humoral immune responses (e.g.,responses mediated by B cells (e.g., via generation and secretion ofantibodies into the plasma, lymph, and/or tissue fluids). The term“immune response” is meant to encompass all aspects of the capability ofa subject's immune system to respond to antigens and/or immunogens(e.g., both the initial response to an immunogen (e.g., a pathogen) aswell as acquired (e.g., memory) responses that are a result of anadaptive immune response).

As used herein, the terms “toll receptors” and “TLRs” refer to a classof receptors (e.g., TLR1, TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, TLR6, TLR7, TLR8,TLR9, TLRT0, TLR 11) that recognize special patterns of pathogens,termed pathogen-associated molecular patterns (See, e.g., Janeway andMedzhitov, (2002) Annu. Rev. Immunol 20, 197-216). These receptors areexpressed in innate immune cells (e.g., neutrophils, monocytes,macrophages, dendritic cells) and in other types of cells such asendothelial cells. Their ligands include bacterial products such as LPS,peptidoglycans, lipopeptides, and CpG DNA. TLRs are receptors that bindto exogenous ligands and mediate innate immune responses leading to theelimination of invading microbes. The TLR-triggered signaling pathwayleads to activation of transcription factors including NFkB, which isimportant for the induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines andchemokines. TLRs also interact with each other. For example, TLR2 canform functional heterodimers with TLR1 or TLR6. The TLR2/1 dimer has adifferent ligand binding profile than the TLR2/6 dimer (Ozinsky et al.,2000). In some embodiments, a nanoemulsion adjuvant activates cellsignaling through a TLR (e.g., TLR2 and/or TLR4). Thus, in someembodiments, methods described herein include a nanoemulsion cancervaccine that when administered to a subject, activates one or more TLRsand stimulates an immune response (e.g., innate and/or adaptive/acquiredimmune response) in a subject. Vaccine compositions described herein canin some embodiments activate TLRs (e.g., TLR2 and/or TLR4) by, forexample, interacting with TLRs (e.g., NE binding to TLRs) or activatingany downstream cellular pathway that occurs upon binding of a ligand toa TLR. In some embodiments, vaccine compositions described herein thatactivate TLRs also enhance the availability or accessibility of anyendogenous or naturally occurring ligand of TLRs. In some embodiments,vaccine compositions described herein that activate one or more TLRsalter transcription of genes, increase translation of mRNA or increasethe activity of proteins that are involved in mediating TLR cellularprocesses.

As used herein, the term “immunity” refers to protection from disease(e.g., preventing or attenuating (e.g., suppression) of a sign, symptomor condition of the disease (e.g., tumor metastasis)) upon exposure avaccine composition described herein Immunity can be innate (e.g.,non-adaptive (e.g., non-acquired) immune responses that exist in theabsence of a previous exposure to an antigen) and/or acquired/adaptive(e.g., immune responses that are mediated by B and/or T cells followinga previous exposure to antigen (e.g., that exhibit increased specificityand reactivity to the antigen)).

As used herein, the terms “immunogen” and “antigen” refer to an agent(e.g., whole cancer cells (e.g., that have undergone freeze-thaw lysisand/or other type of membrane disruption), homogenized cells (e.g.,cancer cells (e.g., a cancer cell line or genetically modified cancercells), cells (e.g., cancer cells (e.g., that have been exposed to UVradiation), one or a plurality of tumor associated antigens (e.g.,recombinant and/or purified protein antigens), cells modified (e.g.,genetically modified) to express (e.g., over-express) one or a pluralityof tumor associated antigens, one or a plurality of protein components(e.g., isolated and/or purified and/or recombinant protein) from one ora plurality of cancer cells, and/or one or more adjuvants (e.g., ananoemulsion adjuvant and/or non-nanoemulsion adjuvant) that is capableof eliciting an immune response in a subject. In preferred embodiments,immunogens elicit immunity against and/or clearance of, or preventgrowth and/or metastasis of cancer (e.g., tumors) when administered incombination with a nanoemulsion of the present invention.

As used herein, the term “enhanced immunity” refers to an increase inthe level of adaptive and/or acquired immunity in a subject to a givenimmunogen following administration of a composition (e.g., compositionfor inducing an immune response of the present invention) relative tothe level of adaptive and/or acquired immunity in a subject that has notbeen administered the composition (e.g., composition for inducing animmune response of the present invention).

As used herein, the terms “purified” or “to purify” refer to the removalof contaminants or undesired compounds from a sample or composition. Asused herein, the term “substantially purified” refers to the removal offrom about 70 to 90%, up to 100%, of the contaminants or undesiredcompounds from a sample or composition.

As used herein, the terms “administration” and “administering” refer tothe act of giving a composition of the present invention (e.g., acomposition for inducing an immune response (e.g., a compositioncomprising a nanoemulsion and an immunogen)) to a subject. Exemplaryroutes of administration to the human body include, but are not limitedto, through the eyes (ophthalmic), mouth (oral), skin (transdermal),nose (nasal), lungs (inhalant), oral mucosa (buccal), ear, rectal, byinjection (e.g., intravenously, subcutaneously, intraperitoneally,etc.), topically, and the like.

As used herein, the terms “co-administration” and “co-administering”refer to the administration of at least two agent(s) (e.g., acomposition comprising a nanoemulsion and an immunogen and one or moreother agents—e.g., an adjuvant) or therapies to a subject. In someembodiments, the co-administration of two or more agents or therapies isconcurrent. In other embodiments, a first agent/therapy is administeredprior to a second agent/therapy. In some embodiments, co-administrationcan be via the same or different route of administration. Those of skillin the art understand that the formulations and/or routes ofadministration of the various agents or therapies used may vary. Theappropriate dosage for co-administration can be readily determined byone skilled in the art. In some embodiments, when agents or therapiesare co-administered, the respective agents or therapies are administeredat lower dosages than appropriate for their administration alone. Thus,co-administration is especially desirable in embodiments where theco-administration of the agents or therapies lowers the requisite dosageof a potentially harmful (e.g., toxic) agent(s), and/or whenco-administration of two or more agents results in sensitization of asubject to beneficial effects of one of the agents via co-administrationof the other agent.

As used herein, the term “topically” refers to application of acompositions of the present invention (e.g., a composition comprising ananoemulsion and an immunogen) to the surface of the skin and/or mucosalcells and tissues (e.g., alveolar, buccal, lingual, masticatory, vaginalor nasal mucosa, and other tissues and cells which line hollow organs orbody cavities).

In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention areadministered in the form of topical emulsions, injectable compositions,ingestible solutions, and the like. When the route is topical, the formmay be, for example, a spray (e.g., a nasal spray), a cream, or otherviscous solution (e.g., a composition comprising a nanoemulsion and animmunogen in polyethylene glycol).

The terms “pharmaceutically acceptable” or “pharmacologicallyacceptable,” as used herein, refer to compositions that do notsubstantially produce adverse reactions (e.g., toxic, allergic orimmunological reactions) when administered to a subject.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” refers toany of the standard pharmaceutical carriers including, but not limitedto, phosphate buffered saline solution, water, and various types ofwetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate), any and all solvents,dispersion media, coatings, sodium lauryl sulfate, isotonic andabsorption delaying agents, disintrigrants (e.g., potato starch orsodium starch glycolate), polyethylene glycol, and the like. Thecompositions also can include stabilizers and preservatives. Examples ofcarriers, stabilizers and adjuvants have been described and are known inthe art (See e.g., Martin, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 15thEd., Mack Publ. Co., Easton, Pa. (1975), incorporated herein byreference).

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers toany salt (e.g., obtained by reaction with an acid or a base) of acomposition of the present invention that is physiologically toleratedin the target subject. “Salts” of the compositions of the presentinvention may be derived from inorganic or organic acids and bases.Examples of acids include, but are not limited to, hydrochloric,hydrobromic, sulfuric, nitric, perchloric, fumaric, maleic, phosphoric,glycolic, lactic, salicylic, succinic, toluene-p-sulfonic, tartaric,acetic, citric, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, formic, benzoic,malonic, sulfonic, naphthalene-2-sulfonic, benzenesulfonic acid, and thelike. Other acids, such as oxalic, while not in themselvespharmaceutically acceptable, may be employed in the preparation of saltsuseful as intermediates in obtaining the compositions of the inventionand their pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts.

Examples of bases include, but are not limited to, alkali metal (e.g.,sodium) hydroxides, alkaline earth metal (e.g., magnesium) hydroxides,ammonia, and compounds of formula NW₄ ⁺, wherein W is C₁₋₄ alkyl, andthe like.

Examples of salts include, but are not limited to: acetate, adipate,alginate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate, bisulfate, butyrate,citrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, cyclopentanepropionate,digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, fumarate, flucoheptanoate,glycerophosphate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, chloride, bromide,iodide, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, lactate, maleate, methanesulfonate,2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, oxalate, palmoate, pectinate,persulfate, phenylpropionate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, succinate,tartrate, thiocyanate, tosylate, undecanoate, and the like. Otherexamples of salts include anions of the compounds of the presentinvention compounded with a suitable cation such as Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, and NW₄⁺ (wherein W is a C₁₋₄ alkyl group), and the like. For therapeutic use,salts of the compounds of the present invention are contemplated asbeing pharmaceutically acceptable. However, salts of acids and basesthat are non-pharmaceutically acceptable may also find use, for example,in the preparation or purification of a pharmaceutically acceptablecompound.

For therapeutic use, salts of the compositions of the present inventionare contemplated as being pharmaceutically acceptable. However, salts ofacids and bases that are non-pharmaceutically acceptable may also finduse, for example, in the preparation or purification of apharmaceutically acceptable composition.

As used herein, the term “at risk for disease” refers to a subject thatis predisposed to experiencing a particular disease. This predispositionmay be genetic (e.g., a particular genetic tendency to experience thedisease, such as heritable disorders), or due to other factors (e.g.,environmental conditions, exposures to detrimental compounds present inthe environment, etc.). Thus, it is not intended that the presentinvention be limited to any particular risk (e.g., a subject may be “atrisk for disease” simply by being exposed to and interacting with otherpeople), nor is it intended that the present invention be limited to anyparticular disease (e.g., cancer).

“Nasal application”, as used herein, means applied through the nose intothe nasal or sinus passages or both. The application may, for example,be done by drops, sprays, mists, coatings or mixtures thereof applied tothe nasal and sinus passages.

“Vaginal application”, as used herein, means applied into or through thevagina so as to contact vaginal mucosa. The application may contact theurethra, cervix, formix, uterus or other area surrounding the vagina.The application may, for example, be done by drops, sprays, mists,coatings, lubricants or mixtures thereof applied to the vagina orsurrounding tissue.

As used herein, the term “kit” refers to any delivery system fordelivering materials. In the context of immunogenic agents (e.g.,compositions comprising a nanoemulsion and an immunogen), such deliverysystems include systems that allow for the storage, transport, ordelivery of immunogenic agents and/or supporting materials (e.g.,written instructions for using the materials, etc.) from one location toanother. For example, kits include one or more enclosures (e.g., boxes)containing the relevant immunogenic agents (e.g., nanoemulsions) and/orsupporting materials. As used herein, the term “fragmented kit” refersto delivery systems comprising two or more separate containers that eachcontain a subportion of the total kit components. The containers may bedelivered to the intended recipient together or separately. For example,a first container may contain a composition comprising a nanoemulsionand an immunogen for a particular use, while a second container containsa second agent (e.g., an antibiotic or spray applicator). Indeed, anydelivery system comprising two or more separate containers that eachcontains a subportion of the total kit components are included in theterm “fragmented kit.” In contrast, a “combined kit” refers to adelivery system containing all of the components of an immunogenic agentneeded for a particular use in a single container (e.g., in a single boxhousing each of the desired components). The term “kit” includes bothfragmented and combined kits.

As used herein, the term “immunoglobulin” or “antibody” refer toproteins that bind a specific antigen Immunoglobulins include, but arenot limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal, chimeric, and humanizedantibodies, Fab fragments, F(ab′)₂ fragments, and includesimmunoglobulins of the following classes: IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, IbE, andsecreted immunoglobulins (sIg) Immunoglobulins generally comprise twoidentical heavy chains and two light chains. However, the terms“antibody” and “immunoglobulin” also encompass single chain antibodiesand two chain antibodies.

As used herein, the term “antigen binding protein” refers to proteinsthat bind to a specific antigen. “Antigen binding proteins” include, butare not limited to, immunoglobulins, including polyclonal, monoclonal,chimeric, and humanized antibodies; Fab fragments, F(ab′)₂ fragments,and Fab expression libraries; and single chain antibodies.

The term “epitope” as used herein refers to that portion of an antigenthat makes contact with a particular immunoglobulin.

When a protein or fragment of a protein is used to immunize a hostanimal, numerous regions of the protein may induce the production ofantibodies which bind specifically to a given region orthree-dimensional structure on the protein; these regions or structuresare referred to as “antigenic determinants”. An antigenic determinantmay compete with the intact antigen (i.e., the “immunogen” used toelicit the immune response) for binding to an antibody.

The terms “specific binding” or “specifically binding” when used inreference to the interaction of an antibody and a protein or peptidemeans that the interaction is dependent upon the presence of aparticular structure (e.g., the antigenic determinant or epitope) on theprotein; in other words the antibody is recognizing and binding to aspecific protein structure rather than to proteins in general. Forexample, if an antibody is specific for epitope “A,” the presence of aprotein containing epitope A (or free, unlabelled A) in a reactioncontaining labeled “A” and the antibody will reduce the amount oflabeled A bound to the antibody.

As used herein, the terms “non-specific binding” and “backgroundbinding” when used in reference to the interaction of an antibody and aprotein or peptide refer to an interaction that is not dependent on thepresence of a particular structure (i.e., the antibody is binding toproteins in general rather that a particular structure such as anepitope).

As used herein, the term “subject” refers to any animal (e.g., amammal), including, but not limited to, humans, non-human primates,rodents, and the like, which is to be the recipient of a particulartreatment. Typically, the terms “subject” and “patient” are usedinterchangeably herein in reference to a human subject.

As used herein, the terms “epithelial tissue” or “epithelium” refer tothe cellular covering of internal and external surfaces of the body,including the lining of vessels and other small cavities. Epithelium isclassified into types on the basis of the number of layers deep and theshape of the superficial cells.

As used herein, the term “subject suspected of having cancer” refers toa subject that presents one or more symptoms indicative of a cancer(e.g., a noticeable lump or mass) or is being screened for a cancer(e.g., during a routine physical). A subject suspected of having cancermay also have one or more risk factors. A subject suspected of havingcancer has generally not been tested for cancer. However, a “subjectsuspected of having cancer” encompasses an individual who has received apreliminary diagnosis (e.g., a CT scan showing a mass or increased PSAlevel) but for whom a confirmatory test (e.g., biopsy and/or histology)has not been done or for whom the stage of cancer is not known. The termfurther includes people who once had cancer (e.g., an individual inremission). A “subject suspected of having cancer” is sometimesdiagnosed with cancer and is sometimes found to not have cancer.

As used herein, the term “subject diagnosed with a cancer” refers to asubject who has been tested and found to have cancerous cells. Thecancer may be diagnosed using any suitable method, including but notlimited to, biopsy, x-ray, blood test, etc.

As used herein, the term “post surgical tumor tissue” refers tocancerous tissue (e.g., prostate tissue) that has been removed from asubject (e.g., during surgery).

As used herein, the term “identifying the risk of said tumormetastasizing” refers to the relative risk (e.g., the percent chance ora relative score) of a tumor (e.g., prostate, colon, breast, etc. tumor)metastasizing.

The term “cancer” as used herein is defined as a tissue of uncontrolledgrowth or proliferation of cells, such as a tumor. The present inventionis not limited by the type of cancer (e.g., prophylactically and/ortherapeutically treated). Indeed, a variety of cancers may be treatedwith compositions and methods described herein including, but notlimited to, epithelial cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer,endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, renal cancer,melanoma, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, brain cancer, sarcomas,melanomas, carcinomas, and/or a combination thereof.

“Metastasis” as used herein refers to the process by which a cancerspreads or transfers from the site of origin to other regions of thebody with the development of a similar cancerous lesion at the newlocation. A “metastatic” or “metastasizing” cell is one that losesadhesive contacts with neighboring cells and migrates via thebloodstream or lymph from the primary site of disease to invadeneighboring body structures.

As used herein, the term “identifying the risk of said tumor recurring”refers to the relative risk (e.g., the percent chance or a relativescore) of a tumor (e.g., prostate tumor tissue) recurring in the sameorgan as the original tumor (e.g., prostate).

As used herein, the term “subject at risk for cancer” refers to asubject with one or more risk factors for developing a specific cancer.Risk factors include, but are not limited to, gender, age, geneticpredisposition, environmental exposure, and previous incidents ofcancer, preexisting non-cancer diseases, and lifestyle.

As used herein, the term “characterizing cancer in subject” refers tothe identification of one or more properties of a cancer sample in asubject, including but not limited to, the presence of benign,pre-cancerous or cancerous tissue and the stage of the cancer.

As used herein, the term “characterizing tissue in a subject” refers tothe identification of one or more properties of a tissue sample (e.g.,including but not limited to, the presence of cancerous tissue, thepresence of pre-cancerous tissue that is likely to become cancerous, andthe presence of cancerous tissue that is likely to metastasize).

As used herein, the term “stage of cancer” refers to a qualitative orquantitative assessment of the level of advancement of a cancer.Criteria used to determine the stage of a cancer include, but are notlimited to, the size of the tumor, whether the tumor has spread to otherparts of the body and where the cancer has spread (e.g., within the sameorgan or region of the body or to another organ).

As used herein, the term “non-human animals” refers to all non-humananimals including, but are not limited to, vertebrates such as rodents,non-human primates, ovines, bovines, ruminants, lagomorphs, porcines,caprines, equines, canines, felines, ayes, etc.

As used herein, the term “gene transfer system” refers to any means ofdelivering a composition comprising a nucleic acid sequence to a cell ortissue. For example, gene transfer systems include, but are not limitedto, vectors (e.g., retroviral, adenoviral, adeno-associated viral, andother nucleic acid-based delivery systems), microinjection of nakednucleic acid, polymer-based delivery systems (e.g., liposome-based andmetallic particle-based systems), biolistic injection, and the like. Asused herein, the term “viral gene transfer system” refers to genetransfer systems comprising viral elements (e.g., intact viruses,modified viruses and viral components such as nucleic acids or proteins)to facilitate delivery of the sample to a desired cell or tissue. Asused herein, the term “adenovirus gene transfer system” refers to genetransfer systems comprising intact or altered viruses belonging to thefamily Adenoviridae.

As used herein, the term “site-specific recombination target sequences”refers to nucleic acid sequences that provide recognition sequences forrecombination factors and the location where recombination takes place.

As used herein, the term “nucleic acid molecule” refers to any nucleicacid containing molecule, including but not limited to, DNA or RNA. Theterm encompasses sequences that include any of the known base analogs ofDNA and RNA including, but not limited to, 4-acetylcytosine,8-hydroxy-N-6-methyladenosine, aziridinylcytosine, pseudoisocytosine,5-(carboxyhydroxylmethyl) uracil, 5-fluorouracil, 5-bromouracil,5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouracil,5-carboxymethylaminomethyluracil, dihydrouracil, inosine,N6-isopentenyladenine, 1-methyladenine, 1-methylpseudouracil,1-methylguanine, 1-methylinosine, 2,2-dimethylguanine, 2-methyladenine,2-methylguanine, 3-methylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, N6-methyladenine,7-methylguanine, 5-methylaminomethyluracil,5-methoxyaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, beta-D-mannosylqueosine,5′-methoxycarbonylmethyluracil, 5-methoxyuracil,2-methylthio-N-6-isopentenyladenine, uracil-5-oxyacetic acidmethylester, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid, oxybutoxosine, pseudouracil,queosine, 2-thiocytosine, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 2-thiouracil,4-thiouracil, 5-methyluracil, N-uracil-5-oxyacetic acid methylester,uracil-5-oxyacetic acid, pseudouracil, queosine, 2-thiocytosine, and2,6-diaminopurine.

The term “gene” refers to a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) sequence thatcomprises coding sequences necessary for the production of apolypeptide, precursor, or RNA (e.g., rRNA, tRNA). The polypeptide canbe encoded by a full length coding sequence or by any portion of thecoding sequence so long as the desired activity or functional properties(e.g., enzymatic activity, ligand binding, signal transduction,immunogenicity, etc.) of the full-length or fragment are retained. Theterm also encompasses the coding region of a structural gene and thesequences located adjacent to the coding region on both the 5′ and 3′ends for a distance of about 1 kb or more on either end such that thegene corresponds to the length of the full-length mRNA. Sequenceslocated 5′ of the coding region and present on the mRNA are referred toas 5′ non-translated sequences. Sequences located 3′ or downstream ofthe coding region and present on the mRNA are referred to as 3′non-translated sequences. The term “gene” encompasses both cDNA andgenomic forms of a gene. A genomic form or clone of a gene contains thecoding region interrupted with non-coding sequences termed “introns” or“intervening regions” or “intervening sequences.” Introns are segmentsof a gene that are transcribed into nuclear RNA (hnRNA); introns maycontain regulatory elements such as enhancers. Introns are removed or“spliced out” from the nuclear or primary transcript; introns thereforeare absent in the messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript. The mRNA functionsduring translation to specify the sequence or order of amino acids in anascent polypeptide.

As used herein, the term “heterologous gene” refers to a gene that isnot in its natural environment. For example, a heterologous geneincludes a gene from one species introduced into another species. Aheterologous gene also includes a gene native to an organism that hasbeen altered in some way (e.g., mutated, added in multiple copies,linked to non-native regulatory sequences, etc). Heterologous genes aredistinguished from endogenous genes in that the heterologous genesequences are typically joined to DNA sequences that are not foundnaturally associated with the gene sequences in the chromosome or areassociated with portions of the chromosome not found in nature (e.g.,genes expressed in loci where the gene is not normally expressed).

As used herein, the term “transgene” refers to a heterologous gene thatis integrated into the genome of an organism (e.g., a non-human animal)and that is transmitted to progeny of the organism during sexualreproduction.

As used herein, the term “transgenic organism” refers to an organism(e.g., a non-human animal) that has a transgene integrated into itsgenome and that transmits the transgene to its progeny during sexualreproduction.

As used herein, the term “gene expression” refers to the process ofconverting genetic information encoded in a gene into RNA (e.g., mRNA,rRNA, tRNA, or snRNA) through “transcription” of the gene (i.e., via theenzymatic action of an RNA polymerase), and for protein encoding genes,into protein through “translation” of mRNA. Gene expression can beregulated at many stages in the process. “Up-regulation” or “activation”refers to regulation that increases the production of gene expressionproducts (i.e., RNA or protein), while “down-regulation” or “repression”refers to regulation that decrease production. Molecules (e.g.,transcription factors) that are involved in up-regulation ordown-regulation are often called “activators” and “repressors,”respectively.

In addition to containing introns, genomic forms of a gene may alsoinclude sequences located on both the 5′ and 3′ end of the sequencesthat are present on the RNA transcript. These sequences are referred toas “flanking” sequences or regions (these flanking sequences are located5′ or 3′ to the non-translated sequences present on the mRNAtranscript). The 5′ flanking region may contain regulatory sequencessuch as promoters and enhancers that control or influence thetranscription of the gene. The 3′ flanking region may contain sequencesthat direct the termination of transcription, post-transcriptionalcleavage and polyadenylation.

The term “wild-type” refers to a gene or gene product isolated from anaturally occurring source. A wild-type gene is that which is mostfrequently observed in a population and is thus arbitrarily designed the“normal” or “wild-type” form of the gene. In contrast, the term“modified” or “mutant” refers to a gene or gene product that displaysmodifications in sequence and or functional properties (i.e., alteredcharacteristics) when compared to the wild-type gene or gene product. Itis noted that naturally occurring mutants can be isolated; these areidentified by the fact that they have altered characteristics (includingaltered nucleic acid sequences) when compared to the wild-type gene orgene product.

As used herein, the terms “nucleic acid molecule encoding,” “DNAsequence encoding,” and “DNA encoding” refer to the order or sequence ofdeoxyribonucleotides along a strand of deoxyribonucleic acid. The orderof these deoxyribonucleotides determines the order of amino acids alongthe polypeptide (protein) chain. The DNA sequence thus codes for theamino acid sequence.

As used herein, the terms “an oligonucleotide having a nucleotidesequence encoding a gene” and “polynucleotide having a nucleotidesequence encoding a gene,” means a nucleic acid sequence comprising thecoding region of a gene or in other words the nucleic acid sequence thatencodes a gene product. The coding region may be present in a cDNA,genomic DNA or RNA form. When present in a DNA form, the oligonucleotideor polynucleotide may be single-stranded (i.e., the sense strand) ordouble-stranded. Suitable control elements such as enhancers/promoters,splice junctions, polyadenylation signals, etc. may be placed in closeproximity to the coding region of the gene if needed to permit properinitiation of transcription and/or correct processing of the primary RNAtranscript. Alternatively, the coding region utilized in the expressionvectors of the present invention may contain endogenousenhancers/promoters, splice junctions, intervening sequences,polyadenylation signals, etc. or a combination of both endogenous andexogenous control elements.

The terms “in operable combination,” “in operable order,” and “operablylinked” as used herein refer to the linkage of nucleic acid sequences insuch a manner that a nucleic acid molecule capable of directing thetranscription of a given gene and/or the synthesis of a desired proteinmolecule is produced. The term also refers to the linkage of amino acidsequences in such a manner so that a functional protein is produced.

The term “isolated” when used in relation to a nucleic acid, as in “anisolated oligonucleotide” or “isolated polynucleotide” refers to anucleic acid sequence that is identified and separated from at least onecomponent or contaminant with which it is ordinarily associated in itsnatural source. Isolated nucleic acid is such present in a form orsetting that is different from that in which it is found in nature. Incontrast, non-isolated nucleic acids as nucleic acids such as DNA andRNA found in the state they exist in nature. For example, a given DNAsequence (e.g., a gene) is found on the host cell chromosome inproximity to neighboring genes; RNA sequences, such as a specific mRNAsequence encoding a specific protein, are found in the cell as a mixturewith numerous other mRNAs that encode a multitude of proteins. However,isolated nucleic acid encoding a given protein includes, by way ofexample, such nucleic acid in cells ordinarily expressing the givenprotein where the nucleic acid is in a chromosomal location differentfrom that of natural cells, or is otherwise flanked by a differentnucleic acid sequence than that found in nature. The isolated nucleicacid, oligonucleotide, or polynucleotide may be present insingle-stranded or double-stranded form. When an isolated nucleic acid,oligonucleotide or polynucleotide is to be utilized to express aprotein, the oligonucleotide or polynucleotide will contain at a minimumthe sense or coding strand (i.e., the oligonucleotide or polynucleotidemay be single-stranded), but may contain both the sense and anti-sensestrands (i.e., the oligonucleotide or polynucleotide may bedouble-stranded).

As used herein, the term “purified” or “to purify” refers to the removalof components (e.g., contaminants) from a sample. For example,antibodies are purified by removal of contaminating non-immunoglobulinproteins; they are also purified by the removal of immunoglobulin thatdoes not bind to the target molecule. The removal of non-immunoglobulinproteins and/or the removal of immunoglobulins that do not bind to thetarget molecule results in an increase in the percent of target-reactiveimmunoglobulins in the sample. In another example, recombinantpolypeptides are expressed in bacterial host cells and the polypeptidesare purified by the removal of host cell proteins; the percent ofrecombinant polypeptides is thereby increased in the sample.

“Amino acid sequence” and terms such as “polypeptide” or “protein” arenot meant to limit the amino acid sequence to the complete, native aminoacid sequence associated with the recited protein molecule.

The term “native protein” as used herein to indicate that a protein doesnot contain amino acid residues encoded by vector sequences; that is,the native protein contains only those amino acids found in the proteinas it occurs in nature. A native protein may be produced by recombinantmeans or may be isolated from a naturally occurring source.

As used herein the term “portion” when in reference to a protein (as in“a portion of a given protein”) refers to fragments of that protein. Thefragments may range in size from four amino acid residues to the entireamino acid sequence minus one amino acid.

As used herein, the term “vector” is used in reference to nucleic acidmolecules that transfer DNA segment(s) from one cell to another. Theterm “vehicle” is sometimes used interchangeably with “vector.” Vectorsare often derived from plasmids, bacteriophages, or plant or animalviruses.

The term “expression vector” as used herein refers to a recombinant DNAmolecule containing a desired coding sequence and appropriate nucleicacid sequences necessary for the expression of the operably linkedcoding sequence in a particular host organism. Nucleic acid sequencesnecessary for expression in prokaryotes usually include a promoter, anoperator (optional), and a ribosome binding site, often along with othersequences. Eukaryotic cells are known to utilize promoters, enhancers,and termination and polyadenylation signals.

The terms “overexpression” and “overexpressing” and grammaticalequivalents, are used in reference to levels of mRNA to indicate a levelof expression approximately 3-fold higher (or greater) than thatobserved in a given tissue in a control or non-transgenic animal. Levelsof mRNA are measured using any of a number of techniques known to thoseskilled in the art including, but not limited to Northern blot analysis.Appropriate controls are included on the Northern blot to control fordifferences in the amount of RNA loaded from each tissue analyzed (e.g.,the amount of 28S rRNA, an abundant RNA transcript present atessentially the same amount in all tissues, present in each sample canbe used as a means of normalizing or standardizing the mRNA-specificsignal observed on Northern blots). The amount of mRNA present in theband corresponding in size to the correctly spliced transgene RNA isquantified; other minor species of RNA which hybridize to the transgeneprobe are not considered in the quantification of the expression of thetransgenic mRNA.

The term “transfection” as used herein refers to the introduction offoreign DNA into eukaryotic cells. Transfection may be accomplished by avariety of means known to the art including calcium phosphate-DNAco-precipitation, DEAE-dextran-mediated transfection, polybrene-mediatedtransfection, electroporation, microinjection, liposome fusion,lipofection, protoplast fusion, retroviral infection, and biolistics.

The term “calcium phosphate co-precipitation” refers to a technique forthe introduction of nucleic acids into a cell. The uptake of nucleicacids by cells is enhanced when the nucleic acid is presented as acalcium phosphate-nucleic acid co-precipitate. The original technique ofGraham and van der Eb (Graham and van der Eb, Virol., 52:456 [1973]),has been modified by several groups to optimize conditions forparticular types of cells. The art is well aware of these numerousmodifications.

The term “stable transfection” or “stably transfected” refers to theintroduction and integration of foreign DNA into the genome of thetransfected cell. The term “stable transfectant” refers to a cell thathas stably integrated foreign DNA into the genomic DNA.

The term “transient transfection” or “transiently transfected” refers tothe introduction of foreign DNA into a cell where the foreign DNA failsto integrate into the genome of the transfected cell. The foreign DNApersists in the nucleus of the transfected cell for several days. Duringthis time the foreign DNA is subject to the regulatory controls thatgovern the expression of endogenous genes in the chromosomes. The term“transient transfectant” refers to cells that have taken up foreign DNAbut have failed to integrate this DNA.

As used herein, the term “selectable marker” refers to the use of a genethat encodes an enzymatic activity that confers the ability to grow inmedium lacking what would otherwise be an essential nutrient (e.g. theHIS3 gene in yeast cells); in addition, a selectable marker may conferresistance to an antibiotic or drug upon the cell in which theselectable marker is expressed. Selectable markers may be “dominant”; adominant selectable marker encodes an enzymatic activity that can bedetected in any eukaryotic cell line. Examples of dominant selectablemarkers include the bacterial aminoglycoside 3′ phosphotransferase gene(also referred to as the neo gene) that confers resistance to the drugG418 in mammalian cells, the bacterial hygromycin G phosphotransferase(hyg) gene that confers resistance to the antibiotic hygromycin and thebacterial xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase gene (alsoreferred to as the gpt gene) that confers the ability to grow in thepresence of mycophenolic acid. Other selectable markers are not dominantin that their use must be in conjunction with a cell line that lacks therelevant enzyme activity. Examples of non-dominant selectable markersinclude the thymidine kinase (tk) gene that is used in conjunction withtk-cell lines, the CAD gene that is used in conjunction withCAD-deficient cells and the mammalian hypoxanthine-guaninephosphoribosyl transferase (hprt) gene that is used in conjunction withhprt-cell lines. A review of the use of selectable markers in mammaliancell lines is provided in Sambrook, J. et al., Molecular Cloning: ALaboratory Manual, 2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, NewYork (1989) pp. 16.9-16.15.

As used herein, the term “cell culture” refers to any in vitro cultureof cells. Included within this term are continuous cell lines (e.g.,with an immortal phenotype), primary cell cultures, transformed celllines, finite cell lines (e.g., non-transformed cells), and any othercell population maintained in vitro.

As used herein, the term “eukaryote” refers to organisms distinguishablefrom “prokaryotes.” It is intended that the term encompass all organismswith cells that exhibit the usual characteristics of eukaryotes, such asthe presence of a true nucleus bounded by a nuclear membrane, withinwhich lie the chromosomes, the presence of membrane-bound organelles,and other characteristics commonly observed in eukaryotic organisms.Thus, the term includes, but is not limited to such organisms as fungi,protozoa, and animals (e.g., humans).

As used herein, the term “in vitro” refers to an artificial environmentand to processes or reactions that occur within an artificialenvironment. In vitro environments can consist of, but are not limitedto, test tubes and cell culture. The term “in vivo” refers to thenatural environment (e.g., an animal or a cell) and to processes orreaction that occur within a natural environment.

As used herein, the term “sample” is used in its broadest sense. In onesense, it is meant to include a specimen or culture obtained from anysource, as well as biological and environmental samples. Biologicalsamples may be obtained from animals (including humans) and encompassfluids, solids, tissues, and gases. Biological samples include bloodproducts, such as plasma, serum and the like. Environmental samplesinclude environmental material such as surface matter, soil, water,crystals and industrial samples. Such examples are not however to beconstrued as limiting the sample types applicable to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods and compositions for thestimulation of immune responses. In particular, the present inventionprovides nanoemulsion compositions (e.g., vaccines) and methods of usingthe same for the induction of immune responses (e.g., innate andadaptive immune responses (e.g., for generation of host immunity againsta tumor)). Compositions and methods of the present invention find usein, among other things, clinical (e.g. therapeutic and preventativemedicine (e.g., vaccination)) and research applications.

Nanoemulsion Cancer Vaccine Formulations and Methods of Inducing ImmuneResponses

Evidence that an immune response to cancer exists in humans is providedby the existence of tumor reactive lymphocytes within melanoma deposits.These lymphocytes, when isolated, are capable of recognizing specifictumor antigens on autologous and allogeneic melanomas in an MHCrestricted fashion. (See, e.g., Itoh, K. et al. (1986), Cancer Res.46:3011-3017; Muul et al. (1987), J. Immunol. 138:989-995; Topalian etal., (1989) J. Immunol. 142:3714-3725; Darrow et al., (1989) J. Immunol.142:3329-3335; Horn et al., (1991) J. Immunother. 10:153-164; Kawakamiet al., (1992) J. Immunol. 148:638-643; Horn et al., (1993) J.Immunother. 13:18-30; O'Neil et al., (1993) J. Immunol. 151:1410-1418).Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from patients with metastaticmelanoma recognize shared antigens including melanocyte-melanoma lineagespecific tissue antigens in vitro (See, e.g., Kawakami et al, (1993) J.Immunother. 14:88-93; Anichini et al., J. Exp. Med. 177:989-998).Anti-melanoma T-cells appear to be enriched in TILs, (See, e.g., Sensiet al., (1993) J. Exp. Med. 178:1231-1246).

Development of molecular therapies for cancer have historically focusedon specific recognition of antigens by cellular immune effectors. Thepresent invention provides novel strategies comprising methods ofvaccinating (e.g., prophylactically and/or therapeutically) a subjectwith nanoemulsion vaccine compositions.

T lymphocytes recognize antigen in the form of peptide fragments thatare bound to class I and class II molecules of the majorhistocompatability complex (MHC) locus. Major Histocompatability Complex(MHC) is a generic designation meant to encompass the histocompatabilityantigen systems described in different species including the humanleucocyte antigens (HLA). The T-cell receptor (TCR) for antigen is acomplex of at least 8 polypeptide chains. (See, e.g., Basic and ClinicalImmunology (1994) Stites, Terr and Parslow (eds) Appleton and Lange,Nenmack Conn.). Two of these chains (the alpha and beta chains) form adisulfide-linked dimer that recognizes antigenic peptides bound to MHCmolecules and therefore is the actual ligand-binding structure withinthe TCR. The TCR alpha and beta chains are similar in many respects toimmunoglobulin proteins. The amino-terminal regions of the alpha andbeta chains are highly polymorphic, so that within the entire T-cellpopulation there are a large number of different TCR alpha/beta dimers,each capable of recognizing or binding a particular combination ofantigenic peptide and MHC.

In general, CD4+ T cell populations are considered to function ashelpers/inducers through the release of lymphokines/cytokines whenstimulated by a specific antigen. However, a subset of CD4+ cells alsoact as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Similarly, CD8+ T cells areconsidered to function by directly lysing antigenic targets; however,under a variety of circumstances they can secrete lymphokines/cytokinesto provide helper or delayed type hypersensitivity function. Despite thepotential of overlapping function, the phenotypic CD4 and CD8 markersare linked to the recognition of peptides bound to class II or class IMHC antigens, respectively. The recognition of antigen in the context ofclass II or class I MHC translates into CD4+ and CD8+ T cells respondingto different antigens or the same antigen presented under differentcircumstances. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells have broadly different functionsand tend to recognize different antigens as a reflection of where theantigens normally reside. For example, binding of immunogenic peptidesto class II MHC antigens most commonly occurs for antigens ingested byantigen presenting cells. In contrast, under normal circumstances,binding of peptides to class I MHC occurs for proteins present in thecytosol and/or synthesized by the target itself (e.g., generallyexcluding proteins from the external (e.g., non-target cell)environment). One exception is the binding of exogenous peptides with aprecise class I binding motif which are present outside the cell (e.g.,in high concentration).

In general, during an immune response to a peptide, T cells expressing aT cell receptor with high affinity binding for the peptide-MHC complexwill bind to the peptide-MHC complex and thereby become activated andinduced to proliferate. In a first encounter with a peptide, smallnumbers of immune T cells secrete lymphokines/cytokines, proliferate anddifferentiate into effector and memory T cells. Subsequent encounterswith the same immunogen by the memory T cell will lead to a faster andmore intense immune response (e.g., faster and more robust expression ofcytokines).

Thus, in some embodiments, a NE cancer vaccine of the inventioncomprises one or more protein components (e.g., peptides (e.g., thatbind to MHC class I and/or class II molecules)). The protein componentsmay comprise whole cell (e.g., cancer cell) lysates, a fractionatedand/or purified form thereof, or other components. For example, theprotein component may comprise recombinant protein and/or peptides. Insome embodiments, the protein components may be obtained from cells(e.g., cancer cells) genetically modified to over-express one or moretumor associated antigens (TAAs). A variety of techniques are well knownto those of ordinary skill in the art for isolating and/or constructingpeptides. For example, antigen can be produced by recombinant technology(e.g., either as soluble molecules in eukaryotic systems or as fusionproteins in bacterial systems). In some embodiments, synthetic peptidesare made from a tumor antigen. The present invention is not limited toany particular protein antigens. Indeed, a variety of protein antigensmay find use in a vaccine of the present invention including, but notlimited to, those described in Pietersz et al., 2000 Cell. Mol. Life.Sci. 57:290-310; Pardoll, 2000 Clin. Immunol 95 (1): S44-S62; Rosenberg,2000 Cancer J. 6, Supp. 2: S142-S149; Dalgleish, 2000 Br. J. Cancer82(10): 1619-1624, each of which is incorporated by reference herein).

In some embodiments, administration of a NE cancer vaccine of thepresent invention to a subject (e.g., human subject) induces expansionof T cells (e.g., involved in prophylactic and/or therapeutic attackagainst a tumor). In some embodiments, a vaccine formulation of theinvention comprises components additional immunostimulatory substancesdesigned to enhance immunogenicity (e.g., in addition to cancer celllysates). Examples of immunostimulatory substances (adjuvants) include,but are not limited to, N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanine-D-isoglutamine (MDP),lipopoly-saccharides (LPS), glucan, IL-12, GM-CSF, IFN-, IL-15, andothers described herein.

In some embodiments, compositions and methods of the present inventionare utilized for inducing an immune response in a subject that hasdeveloped resistance to conventional cancer treatments and/or that has ahigh probability of developing a recurrence following treatment. Thus,in some embodiments, compositions and methods of the present inventionprevent cancer cells from evading a subject's immune system and/orevading immune responses, prevent and/or decrease the ability ofcancer/tumors to anergize a subject's host immune system, and/or preventor decrease the ability of cancer/tumor to create an immunosuppressiveenvironment (e.g., via secreting immunosuppressive factors and/or byexpressing factors that induce apoptosis of an offensive tumorantigen-specific killer cell).

In some embodiments, the present invention provides nanoemulsioncompositions (e.g., vaccines) and methods of using the same for theinduction of immune responses (e.g., innate and adaptive immuneresponses (e.g., for generation of host immunity against a tumor)). Avariety of nanoemulsions that find use in the present invention aredescribed herein and elsewhere (e.g., nanoemulsions described in U.S.Pat. Apps. 20020045667 and 20040043041, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,015,832,6,506,803, 6,635,676, and 6,559,189, each of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety for all purposes).

Nanoemulsion cancer vaccines of the present invention may be formulatedin any suitable manner and administered utilizing a variety of deliverymethods. Any suitable pharmaceutical formulation may be utilized,including, but not limited to, those disclosed herein. Suitableformulations may be tested for immunogenicity using any suitable method.For example, in some embodiments, immunogenicity is investigated byquantitating specific T-cell responses and/or antibody titer.Nanoemulsion compositions of the present invention may also be tested inanimal models (e.g., animal cancer, tumor, and/or metastatic models).

Although an understanding of the mechanism is not necessary to practicethe present invention and the present invention is not limited to anyparticular mechanism of action, in some embodiments, NE cancer vaccinesof the present invention preserve important antigenic epitopes (e.g.,recognizable by a subject's immune system), stabilizing theirhydrophobic and hydrophilic components in the oil and water interface ofthe emulsion (e.g., thereby providing one or more immunogens (e.g.,stabilized antigens (e.g., tumor associated antigens (TAAs)) againstwhich a subject's immune system can mount an immune response). In otherembodiments, because NE formulations penetrate the mucosa (e.g., throughpores) (See, e.g., Example 7), the vaccine formulations carry NE cancervaccine components (e.g., cancer/tumor antigens and/or immunogens (e.g.,TAAs) to submucosal locations (e.g., the sinus, submandibular lymphnodes, thymus, etc. (e.g., comprising dendritic cells (e.g., dendriticcells involved in initiating and/or stimulating an immune response)).Although an understanding of the mechanism is not necessary to practicethe present invention and the present invention is not limited to anyparticular mechanism of action, in some embodiments, combining a NE andcells (e.g., cancer cells (e.g., lysed, UV irradiated, homogenized,genetically modified, etc.) and/or protein components (e.g., isolatedand/or purified and/or recombinant protein from one or a plurality ofcancer cells) stabilizes the cells and/or protein components andimmunogenic portions thereof thereby providing a proper immunogenicmaterial for generation of an immune response (e.g., an anti-cancer,anti-tumor, and/or anti-metastasis immune response).

Dendritic cells avidly phagocytose nanoemulsion (NE) oil droplets andthis may, in some embodiments, provide a means to prime, enable and/orenhance an immune response (e.g., an anti-tumor immune response) towarda Th1 and/or Th2 type response, as well as to internalize immunogens(e.g., antigenic proteins or peptide fragments thereof present in theNE) for antigen presentation. While some vaccines rely on inflammatorytoxins or other immune stimuli for adjuvant activity (See, e.g.,Holmgren and Czerkinsky, Nature Med. 2005, 11; 45-53), NEs have not beenshown to be inflammatory when placed on the skin or mucous membranes instudies on animals and in humans. Thus, although an understanding of themechanism is not necessary to practice the present invention and thepresent invention is not limited to any particular mechanism of action,in some embodiments, a composition comprising a NE of the presentinvention (e.g., a composition comprising NE cancer vaccine) acts as a“physical” adjuvant (e.g., that transports and/or presents immunogens(e.g., TAAs) to the immune system. In some embodiments, mucosaladministration of a composition of the present invention generatesmucosal (e.g., signs of mucosal immunity (e.g., generation of IgAantibody titers)) as well as systemic immunity. In some embodiments,mucosal administration of a NE vaccine of the invention generates aninnate immune response (e.g., activates Toll-like receptor signalingand/or activation of NF-kB) in a subject.

Both cellular and humoral immunity play a role in protection againstabnormal cellular growth and both can be induced with the NE vaccineformulations of the present invention. Thus, in some embodiments,administration (e.g., mucosal administration) of a nanoemulsion vaccineof the present invention primes, enables and/or enhances induction ofboth humoral (e.g., development of specific antibodies) and cellular(e.g., cytotoxic T lymphocyte) immune responses (e.g., against a tumorand/or against cancer metastasis). In some embodiments, nanoemulsionsdescribed herein are utilized in a vaccine (e.g., a cancer vaccine(e.g., a prophylactic vaccine and/or a therapeutic vaccine). Thus, insome embodiments, the present invention provides NE cancer vaccines andmethods of utilizing the same to prevent tumor metastasis. In someembodiments, the present invention provides NE cancer vaccines andmethods of utilizing the same to skew a subject's immune response towardan anti-tumor immune response (e.g., toward a Th1 type immune response).In some embodiments, the present invention provides NE cancer vaccinesand methods of utilizing the same to prime professional antigenpresenting cells (APCs)(e.g., to present cancer associated antigens to asubject's immune system). In some embodiments, the present inventionprovides NE cancer vaccines and methods of utilizing the same to expanda subject's CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte population (e.g.,anti-cancer/tumor CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte population). In someembodiments, the present invention provides NE cancer vaccines andmethods of utilizing the same to expand a subject's CD4+ T cells (e.g.,involved in generation of CD8+ anti-cancer memory cells). In someembodiments, the present invention provides NE cancer vaccines andmethods of utilizing the same to suppress development of T regulatorycells (Tregs). In some embodiments, NE cancer vaccines provided hereinare utilized as mucosal vaccine (e.g., for administration to the nasalmucosa).

Nanoemulsion Vaccine Formulations Elicit Anti-Tumor Immune Responses

The present invention provides a variety of nanoemulsion (e.g., W₈₀5EC,P₄₀₇5EC, etc.) compositions for use in cancer vaccine formulations(e.g., with no significant inflammation in animals and no evidence ofthe composition in the olfactory bulb). In some embodiments, the presentinvention provides compositions and methods for inducing immuneresponses (e.g., anti-cancer/tumor and/or anti-metastasis immuneresponses) utilizing administration (e.g., mucosal administration) of aNE vaccine (e.g., that induces mucosal and/or cellular immune responses(e.g., responses not elicited by injected, non-nanoemulsionadjuvant-based (e.g., aluminum-based) vaccines (See, e.g., Example 8)).

In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of inducingan immune response and compositions useful in such methods (e.g., ananoemulsion vaccine formulation). In some embodiments, methods ofinducing an immune response in a host subject provided by the presentinvention are used for vaccination (e.g., prophylactic and/ortherapeutic vaccination).

In some embodiments, a NE cancer vaccine of the invention comprises a NEand whole cancer cells (e.g., that have undergone freeze-thaw lysis(See, e.g., Examples 8 and 9)). In some embodiments, a NE cancer vaccineof the invention comprises a NE and homogenized cells (e.g., cancercells (e.g., a cancer cell line or genetically modified cancer cells).In some embodiments, a NE cancer vaccine of the invention comprises a NEand cells (e.g., cancer cells (e.g., that have been exposed to UVradiation). In some embodiments, a NE cancer vaccine of the inventioncomprises a NE and a fraction or component of cancer cells (e.g., afractionated cell lysis component). The present invention is not limitedby the type of cancer cell utilized. Indeed, a variety of cancer cellsmay be used including, but not limited to, cells obtained fromcarcinoma, lymphoma, blastoma, sarcoma, or leukemia. In someembodiments, cancer cells are derived from squamous cell cancer,small-cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, adenocarcinoma ofthe lung, squamous carcinoma of the lung, cancer of the peritoneum,hepatocellular cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer,glioblastoma, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, bladdercancer, hepatoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, colorectal cancer,endometrial or uterine carcinoma, salivary gland carcinoma, kidneycancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer, vulval cancer, thyroid cancer,hepatic carcinoma or various types of head and neck cancer. In someembodiments, cancer cells are harvested from subject, grown in vitro,and combined with NE. In some embodiments, cancer cells are geneticallymodified (e.g., transformed with an expression vector to express one ormore protein antigens.

In some embodiments, a NE cancer vaccine of the invention comprises a NEand one or a plurality of tumor associated antigens. In someembodiments, a NE cancer vaccine of the invention comprises a NE andcells modified (e.g., genetically modified) to express (e.g.,over-express) one or a plurality of tumor associated antigens. In someembodiments, one or a plurality of protein components (e.g., isolatedand/or purified and/or recombinant protein) from one or a plurality ofcancer cells are mixed with NE and utilized to induce an immune responsein a subject. In some embodiments, a NE cancer vaccine of the inventioncomprises one or more adjuvants (e.g., a nanoemulsion adjuvant and/ornon-nanoemulsion adjuvant). In some embodiments the present inventionprovides methods of administering cancer vaccines (e.g., nasallyadministering) to a subject under conditions such that the subjectgenerates an immune response to the cancer and/or tumor components ofthe vaccine (See, e.g., Examples 8 and 9). In some embodiments,administrating comprises mucosal administration. In some embodiments,inducing an immune response induces immunity to one or a plurality ofcancer antigens in the subject. In some embodiments, inducing an immuneresponse to the cancer antigens induces immunity to the cancer and/ortumor from which the antigens are derived. In some embodiments, immunitycomprises systemic immunity. In some embodiments, immunity comprisesmucosal immunity. In some embodiments, immunity comprises reductionand/or elimination of tumor metastasis in an immunized subject. In someembodiments, the immune response comprises increased expression ofIFN—in the subject. In some embodiments, the immune response comprises asystemic IgG response to the immunogens (e.g., comparable to monovalentvaccine formulations). In some embodiments, the immune responsecomprises a mucosal IgA response to the immunogens. In some embodiments,the immune response is characterized by a balanced Th1/Th2 polarization(e.g., an IgG subclass distribution and cytokine response indicative ofa balanced Th1/Th2 response). Although an understanding of the mechanismis not necessary to practice the invention and the invention is notlimited to any particular mechanism of action, in some embodiments, animmunogenic composition comprising a nanoemulsion and a cancer immunogenelicits an immune response distinct from an immune response elicitedindependently by a cancer immunogen or by the cancer immunogen in thepresence of a non-nanoemulsion substance (e.g., a non-nanoemulsionadjuvant). In some embodiments, a cancer immunogen in the presence of ananoemulsion elicits an immune response (e.g., an adaptive immuneresponse (e.g., comprising generation of anti-cancer antibodies)) thatprevents metastasis of cancer.

Thus, in some embodiments, the present invention provides immunogeniccompositions that elicit an immune response by the host (e.g., hostcells) to which it is administered (e.g., including the production ofcytokines and other immune factors). In some embodiments, an vaccinecomposition is formulated to include at least one antigen. An antigenmay be an protein or polypeptide or an antigenic fraction thereof. Anantigenic fraction can be produced by means of chemical or physicaldecomposition methods, followed, if desired, by separation of a fractionby means of chromatography, centrifugation and similar techniques.Alternatively, antigens or haptens can be prepared by means of organicsynthetic methods, or, in the case of, for example, polypeptides andproteins, by means of recombinant DNA methods.

In some embodiments, the present invention demonstrates that specificnanoemulsion adjuvants (e.g., W₈₀5EC) possess the ability to alterexpression of genes associated with certain types of immune responseswhile other forms of nanoemulsion adjuvant do not. Accordingly, in someembodiments, the present invention provides a method of inducing animmune response in a subject comprising administering to a subject acomposition comprising a nanoemulsion vaccine under conditions such thatthe expression of one or more genes associated with an immune response(e.g., a Th1 type immune response and/or a Th2 type immune response) isaltered (e.g., enhances or reduced) in the subject (e.g., withindendritic cells (e.g., eliciting and/or augmenting an anti-cancer (e.g.,anti-tumor and/or anti-metastasis) immune response in a subject)).

In some embodiments, the present invention provides nanoemulsioncompositions that stimulate and/or elicit immune responses (e.g., innateimmune responses) when administered to a subject (e.g., a humansubject)).

The innate immune response enables a host to differentiate self fromnon-self and provide a rapid inflammatory response, including productionof cytokines and chemokines, elaboration of effector molecules, such asNO, and interactions with the adaptive immune response (See, e.g.,Janeway and Medzhitov, (2002) Annu. Rev. Immunol. 20, 197-216).Molecular understanding of innate immunity in humans evolved themid-1990s when the Drosophila protein Toll was shown to be critical fordefending flies against fungal infections (See, e.g., Lemaitre et al.,(1996). Cell 86, 973-983). The human Toll-like receptor (TLR) familyincludes at least ten receptors that play important roles in innateimmunity (See, e.g., Akira et al., (2006) Cell 124, 783-801; Beutler etal., (2006) Annu. Rev. Immunol 24, 353-380; and Takeda et al., (2003).Annu. Rev. Immunol. 21, 335-376).

In general, TLRs recognize and respond to diverse non-self (e.g.,microbial) molecules and enable the innate immune system to discriminateamong groups of non-self materials and to induce an appropriate cascadeof effector responses. Individual TLRs recognize a distinct repertoireof conserved molecules (e.g., microbial products). For example,well-characterized receptor-ligand pairs include TLR4 and LPS(lipopolysaccharide), TLR5 and flagellin, TLR1/TLR2/TLR6 andlipoproteins, and TLR3/TLR7/TLR8/TLR9 and different nucleic acid motifs.Collectively, the family of TLRs allows a host's innate immune system todetect the presence of foreign, non-self molecules (e.g., microbialproducts of most microbial pathogens or other substances).

TLRs are classified as members of the IL-1R (IL-1 receptor) superfamilyon the basis of a shared cytoplasmic region known as the TIR(Toll/IL-1R) domain. The extracellular portions of TLRs are ratherdiverse, comprising varying numbers of leucine-rich repeats. Followingencounter with a microbe, TLRs trigger a complex cascade of events thatlead to the induction of a range of proinflammatory genes (See, e.g.,Yamamoto et al., (2002) Nature 420, 324-329 (See, e.g., Misch and Hawn,Clin Sci 2008, 114, 347-360, and also FIG. 5)). Ligand binding resultsin the recruitment of several molecules to the receptor complex. Theseinclude TIR-domain-containing adaptor molecules such as MyD88 (myeloiddifferentiation primary response gene 88), TIRAP/Mal(TIR-domain-containing adapter/MyD88 adaptor-like), TICAM1/TRIF(TIR-domain-containing adaptor molecule 1/TIR-domain-containingadaptor-inducing interferon b) and TRAM (TRIF-related adaptor molecule).Further recruitment of molecules includes IRAKs (IL-1R-associatedkinases (IRAK1, 2, 3 (M) and 4)) as well as TRAF6 (TNFreceptor-associated factor 6). IRAK1 and TRAF6 then dissociate and bindanother complex that comprises TAK1 (TGF (transforming growthfactor)-b-activated kinase 1) and TAB1, 2 and 3 (TAK-1-binding proteins1, 2 and 3). TAK1 then activates IKK (IkB (inhibitor of NF-kB (nuclearfactor kB)) kinase). The activity of this complex is regulated by IKKg[also known as NEMO (NF-kB essential modulator)]. IKK-mediatedphosphorylation of IkB leads to its degradation, allowing NF-kB totranslocate to the nucleus and promote the transcription of multipleproinflammatory genes, including TNF, IL-1b and IL-6.

TLR activation by pathogens, or by molecules derived therefrom, inducesintracellular signaling that primarily results in activation of thetranscription factor NF-kB (See, e.g., Beg, 2002, Trends Immunol. 200223 509-12.) and modulation of cytokine production. However, a series ofother pathways can also be triggered, including p38 mitogen activatedkinase, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase and extracellular signal related kinasepathways (See, e.g., Flohe, et al., 2003, J Immunol, 170 2340-2348;Triantafilou & Triantafilou, 2002, Trends Immunol, 23 301-304). Thepatterns of gene expression induced by ligation of the different TLRsare distinct but often overlap. For instance a large proportion of thegenes upregulated by TLR3 agonists and double stranded RNA are alsoupregulated by TLR4 agonists and LPS (See, e.g., Doyle et al., 2002,Immunity, 17 251-263). TLR4 activation by LPS in macrophages results inTNF-α, IL-12 IL-1β, RANTES and MIP1β secretion (See, e.g., Flohe et al.,supra; Jones et al., 2002, J Leukoc Biol, 69 1036-1044).

In some embodiments, the present invention provides that positivelycharged nanoemulsions (e.g., comprising a positive surface charge (e.g.,due to the presence of a cationic compound (e.g., CPC))) possess greaterefficacy at eliciting immune responses (e.g., innate immune responsesand/or adaptive/acquired immune responses) than nanoemulsion adjuvantslacking a positive charge (e.g., lacking a positive surface charge(e.g., due to the absence of a cationic compound (e.g., CPC))) (See,e.g., Example 5). Although an understanding of a mechanism is notnecessary to practice the present invention, and the present inventionis not limited to any particular mechanism of action, in someembodiments, a nanoemulsion adjuvant possessing a positive charge (e.g.,a positive surface charge (e.g., due to the presence of a cationiccompound in the nanoemulsion (e.g., CPC))) possesses greater adhesion tomucosa (e.g., when administered intranasally) than non-positivelycharged emulsions (e.g., due to the positively charged surface of theemulsion). In some embodiments, a nanoemulsion adjuvant possessing apositive charge (e.g., a positive surface charge (e.g., due to thepresence of a cationic compound in the nanoemulsion (e.g., CPC))) ismore readily internalized by phagocytic cells (e.g., macrophages,dendritic cells, B cells, etc.) or other cells than is a non-positivelycharged nanoemulsion (e.g., leading to greater internalization ofantigen (e.g., by antigen presenting cells), processing of antigen,and/or presentation of antigen to B and/or T cells). Thus, in someembodiments, greater internalization and/or processing of antigen and/orpresentation of antigen to B and/or T cells leads to a stronger, morerobust immune responses (e.g., to an antigen administered in ananoemulsion possessing a positive charge (e.g., a positive surfacecharge (e.g., due to the presence of a cationic compound in thenanoemulsion (e.g., CPC))).

In some embodiments, a nanoemulsion of the invention is utilized tostimulate and/or elicit host innate immune responses (e.g., enhancedNF-kB activity and/or activation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling)(See, e.g., Example 6). For example, as described herein, the presentinvention provides nanoemulsions comprising a polysorbate detergent thatdisplay the ability to induce signaling via TLRs (e.g., TLR2 and TLR4(See FIG. 11)). Although an understanding of a mechanism is notnecessary to practice the present invention, and the present inventionis not limited to any particular mechanism of action, in someembodiments, nanoemulsions provided herein activate NF-KB response bystimulation of TLRs (e.g., TLR2 and TLR4). Thus, in some embodiments,the present invention provides nanoemulsions (e.g., possessing apositive charge (e.g., a positive surface charge (e.g., due to thepresence of a cationic compound in the nanoemulsion (e.g., CPC))) thatare utilized to increase mucosal adhesion and internalization (e.g., bydendritic cells) and/or that are utilized to induce innate immuneresponses (e.g., TLR signaling, activation of NF-kB and expression ofcytokines) in a host subject. The present invention is not limited toany particular polysorbate detergent. Indeed, a variety of polysorbatesmay be utilized in a nanoemulsion adjuvant including, but not limitedto, TWEEN 20, TWEEN 40, TWEEN 60, TWEEN 80, etc.

Thus, in some embodiments, the present invention provides adjuvants thatreduce the number of booster injections required to achieve protection.In some embodiments, the present invention provides nanoemulsions thatresult in a higher proportion of recipients achieving seroconversion. Insome embodiments, the present invention provides nanoemulsions that areuseful (e.g., in the context of a cancer vaccine) for selectivelyskewing adaptive immunity toward Th1, Th2, or cytotoxic T cell responses(e.g., allowing effective immunization by distinct routes (e.g., such asvia the skin or mucosa)). In some embodiments, the present inventionprovides nanoemulsions that elicit optimal responses in very youngand/or very old populations (e.g., in whom most contemporary vaccinationstrategies are not optimally effective). In some embodiments, thepresent invention provides nanoemulsions that provide efficacy andsafety needed for vaccination regimens that involve different deliveryroutes and elicitation of distinct types of immunity. In someembodiments, the present invention provides nanoemulsions that stimulateantibody responses and have little toxicity and that can be utilizedwith a range of antigens (e.g., cancer antigens (e.g., cancer cells,cancer cell fractions, tumor associated antigens, etc.) for which theyprovide adjuvanticity and the types of immune responses they elicit. Insome embodiments, the present invention provides nanoemulsions that meetglobal supply requirements (e.g., in response to increased incidence ofcancer (e.g., among an aging population)).

Vaccines containing peptides are generally known in the art, asexemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,601,903; 4,599,231; 4,599,230; and4,596,792; each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The use of peptides in vivo may first require their chemicalmodification since the peptides themselves may not have a sufficientlylong serum and/or tissue half-life and/or sufficient immunogenicity. Forthis purpose, the antigens/immunogens of the invention may optionally belinked to a carrier molecule. Many suitable linkages are known, e.g.,using the side chains of Tyr residues. Suitable carriers include, e.g.,keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), serum albumin, purified proteinderivative of tuberculin (PPD), ovalbumin, non-protein carriers (e.g.,conjugation to one or more polysaccharides), and many others.

In addition, it may be advantageous to modify antigens/immunogens inorder to impose a conformational restraint upon them. This might beuseful, for example, to mimic a naturally-occurring conformation of theantigen/immunogen in the context of the native protein in order tooptimize the effector immune responses that are elicited. One example ofan antigen/immunogen that can be modified is a peptide.

Modified peptides are referred to herein as “peptide analogs”. The term“peptide analog” extends to any functional chemical equivalent of apeptide characterized by its increased stability and/or efficacy andimmunogenicity in vivo or in vitro in respect of the practice of theinvention. The term “peptide analog” is also used herein to extend toany amino acid derivative of the peptides as described herein. Peptideanalogs contemplated herein are produced by procedures that include, butare not limited to, modifications to side chains, incorporation ofunnatural amino acids and/or their derivatives during peptide synthesisand the use of cross-linkers and other methods which imposeconformational constraint on the peptides or their analogs.

It will be apparent that the peptides employed herein as antigens can bemodified in a variety of different ways without significantly affectingthe functionally important immunogenic behavior thereof. Possiblemodifications to the peptide sequence may include the following: One ormore individual amino acids can be substituted by amino acids havingcomparable or similar properties, thus: V may be substituted by I; T maybe substituted by S; K may be substituted by R; or L may be substitutedby I, V or M. One or more of the amino acids of peptides of theinvention can be replaced by a “retro-inverso” amino acid, i.e., abifunctional amine having a functional group corresponding to an aminoacid, as discussed in published International application WO 91/13909.One or more amino acids can be deleted. Structural analogs mimicking the3-dimensional structure of the peptide can be used in place of thepeptide.

Examples of side chain modifications contemplated by the presentinvention include modification of amino groups, such as by reductivealkylation by reaction with an aldehyde followed by reduction withNaBH₄; amidation with methylacetimidate; acetylation with aceticanhydride; carbamylation of amino groups with 2, 4, 6, trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS); alkylation of amino groups with succinic anhydrideand tetrahydrophthalic anhydride; and pyridoxylation of lysine withpyridoxal-5′-phosphate followed by reduction with NaBH₄.

The guanidino group of arginine residues may be modified by theformation of heterocyclic condensation products with reagents, such as2,3-butanedione, phenylglyoxal and glyoxal. The carboxyl group may bemodified by carbodiimide activation via o-acylisourea formation followedby subsequent derivatisation, for example, to a corresponding amide.Sulfhydryl groups may be modified by methods, such as carboxymethylationwith iodoacetic acid or iodoacetamide; performic acid oxidation tocysteic acid; formation of mixed disulphides with other thiol compounds;reaction with maleimide; maleic anhydride or other substitutedmaleimide; formation of mercurial derivatives using4-chloromercuribenzoate, 4-chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid,phenylmercury chloride, 2-chloromercuric-4-nitrophenol and othermercurials; carbamylation with cyanate at alkaline pH.

Tryptophan residues may be modified by, for example, oxidation withN-bromosuccinimide or alkylation of the indole ring with2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide or sulphonyl halides. Tryosine residuesmay be altered by nitration with tetranitromethane to form a3-nitrotyrosine derivative. Modification of the imidazole ring of ahistidine residue may be accomplished by alkylation with iodoacetic acidderivatives or N-carbethoxylation with diethylpyrocarbonate. Examples ofincorporating unnatural amino acids and derivatives during peptidesynthesis include, but are not limited to, use of norleucine, 4-aminobutyric acid, 4-amino-3-hydroxy-5-phenylpentanoic acid, 6-aminohexanoicacid, t-butylglycine, norvaline, phenylglycine, ornithine, sarcosine,4-amino-3-hydroxy-6-methylheptanoic acid, 2-thienyl alanine and/orD-isomers of amino acids.

Nanoemulsions

The present invention is not limited by the type of nanoemulsionutilized (e.g., in a cancer vaccine formulation (e.g., for mucosaladministration)). Indeed, a variety of nanoemulsions are contemplated tobe useful in the present invention.

The term “nanoemulsion”, as defined herein, refers to a dispersion ordroplet or any other lipid structure. Typical lipid structurescontemplated in the invention include, but are not limited to,unilamellar, paucilamellar and multilamellar lipid vesicles, micellesand lamellar phases.

The nanoemulsion of the present invention comprises droplets having anaverage diameter size of less than about 1,000 nm, less than about 950nm, less than about 900 nm, less than about 850 nm, less than about 800nm, less than about 750 nm, less than about 700 nm, less than about 650nm, less than about 600 nm, less than about 550 nm, less than about 500nm, less than about 450 nm, less than about 400 nm, less than about 350nm, less than about 300 nm, less than about 250 nm, less than about 200nm, less than about 150 nm, or any combination thereof. In oneembodiment, the droplets have an average diameter size greater thanabout 125 nm and less than or equal to about 300 nm. In a differentembodiment, the droplets have an average diameter size greater thanabout 50 nm or greater than about 70 nm, and less than or equal to about125 nm. In other embodiments of the invention, the nanoemulsion dropletshave an average diameter of from about 300 nm to about 600 nm; or thenanoemulsion droplets have an average diameter of from about 150 nm toabout 400 nm.

In some embodiments, a nanoemulsion comprises (i) an aqueous phase; and(ii) an oil phase. In some embodiments, a nanoemulsion comprises (i) anaqueous phase; (ii) an oil phase; and (iii) at least one additionalcompound. In some embodiments of the present invention, these additionalcompounds are admixed into either the aqueous or oil phases of thecomposition. In other embodiments, these additional compounds areadmixed into a composition of previously emulsified oil and aqueousphases. In certain of these embodiments, one or more additionalcompounds are admixed into an existing emulsion composition immediatelyprior to its use. In other embodiments, one or more additional compoundsare admixed into an existing emulsion composition prior to thecompositions immediate use.

Additional compounds suitable for use in a nanoemulsion of the presentinvention include, but are not limited to, one or more organic, and moreparticularly, organic phosphate based solvents, surfactants anddetergents, cationic halogen containing compounds, germinationenhancers, interaction enhancers, food additives (e.g., flavorings,sweeteners, bulking agents, and the like) and pharmaceuticallyacceptable compounds. Certain exemplary embodiments of the variouscompounds contemplated for use in the compositions of the presentinvention are presented below. Unless described otherwise, nanoemulsionsare described in undiluted form.

In one embodiment of the invention, the nanoemulsion comprises: (a) anaqueous phase; (b) about 1% oil to about 80% oil; (c) about 0.1% organicsolvent to about 50% organic solvent; (d) about 0.001% surfactant ordetergent to about 10% surfactant or detergent; (e) about 0.0005% toabout 1.0% of a chelating agent; or (e) any combination thereof. Inanother embodiment of the invention, the nanoemulsion comprises: (a)about 10% oil to about 80% oil; (b) about 1% organic solvent to about50% organic solvent; (c) at least one non-ionic surfactant present in anamount of about 0.1% to about 10%; (d) at least one cationic agentpresent in an amount of about 0.01% to about 3%; or any combinationthereof.

In another embodiment, the nanoemulsion comprises a cationic surfactantwhich is either cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) or benzalkonium chloride,or alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (BTC 824), or combinationthereof. The cationic surfactant may have a concentration in thenanoemulsion of less than about 5.0% and greater than about 0.001%, orfurther, may have a concentration of less than about 5%, less than about4.5%, less than about 4.0%, less than about 3.5%, less than about 3.0%,less than about 2.5%, less than about 2.0%, less than about 1.5%, lessthan about 1.0%, less than about 0.90%, less than about 0.80%, less thanabout 0.70%, less than about 0.60%, less than about 0.50%, less thanabout 0.40%, less than about 0.30%, less than about 0.20%, less thanabout 0.10%, greater than about 0.001%, greater than about 0.002%,greater than about 0.003%, greater than about 0.004%, greater than about0.005%, greater than about 0.006%, greater than about 0.007%, greaterthan about 0.008%, greater than about 0.009%, and greater than about0.010%.

In a further embodiment, the nanoemulsion comprises a non-ionicsurfactant, and may have a concentration of about 0.01% to about 10.0%,or about 0.1% to about 3% of a non-ionic surfactant, such as apolysorbate.

In yet other embodiments of the invention, the nanoemulsion: (a)comprises at least one cationic surfactant; (b) comprises a cationicsurfactant which is either cetylpyridinium chloride or benzalkoniumchloride, or alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (BTC 824), orcombination thereof; (c) comprises a cationic surfactant, and whereinthe concentration of the cationic surfactant is less than about 5.0% andgreater than about 0.001%; (d) comprises a cationic surfactant, andwherein the concentration of the cationic surfactant is selected fromthe group consisting of less than about 5%, less than about 4.5%, lessthan about 4.0%, less than about 3.5%, less than about 3.0%, less thanabout 2.5%, less than about 2.0%, less than about 1.5%, less than about1.0%, less than about 0.90%, less than about 0.80%, less than about0.70%, less than about 0.60%, less than about 0.50%, less than about0.40%, less than about 0.30%, less than about 0.20%, less than about0.10%, greater than about 0.001%, greater than about 0.002%, greaterthan about 0.003%, greater than about 0.004%, greater than about 0.005%,greater than about 0.006%, greater than about 0.007%, greater than about0.008%, greater than about 0.009%, and greater than about 0.010%; or (e)any combination thereof. In yet other embodiments, (a) the nanoemulsioncomprises at least one cationic surfactant and at least one non-cationicsurfactant; (b) the nanoemulsion comprises at least one cationicsurfactant and at least one non-cationic surfactant, wherein thenon-cationic surfactant is a nonionic surfactant; (c) the nanoemulsioncomprises at least one cationic surfactant and at least one non-cationicsurfactant, wherein the non-cationic surfactant is a polysorbatenonionic surfactant; (d) the nanoemulsion comprises at least onecationic surfactant and at least one non-cationic surfactant, whereinthe non-cationic surfactant is a nonionic surfactant, and the non-ionicsurfactant is present in a concentration of about 0.05% to about 10%,about 0.05% to about 7.0%, about 0.1% to about 7%, or about 0.5% toabout 5%; (e) the nanoemulsion comprises at least one cationicsurfactant and at least one a nonionic surfactant, wherein the cationicsurfactant is present in a concentration of about 0.05% to about 2% orabout 0.01% to about 2%; or (f) any combination thereof.

In other embodiments, the nanoemulsion comprises: (a) water; (b) ethanolor glycerol (glycerine), or a combination thereof; (c) eithercetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), or benzalkonium chloride, or alkyldimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (BTC 824), or a combination thereof;(c) soybean oil; and (e) Poloxamer 407, Tween 80, or Tween 20. Thenanoemulsion can further comprise EDTA.

These quantities of each component present in the nanoemulsion refer toa therapeutic nanoemulsion, and not to a nanoemulsion to be tested invitro. This is significant, as nanoemulsions tested in vitro generallyhave lower concentrations of oil, organic solvent, surfactant ordetergent, and (if present) chelating agent than that present in ananoemulsion intended for therapeutic use, e.g., topical use. This isbecause in vitro studies do not require the nanoemulsion droplets totraverse the skin. For topical, aerosol, intradermal etc. use, theconcentrations of the components must be higher to result in atherapeutic nanoemulsion. However, the relative quantities of eachcomponent used in a nanoemulsion tested in vitro are applicable to ananoemulsion to be used therapeutically and, therefore, in vitroquantities can be scaled up to prepare a therapeutic composition, and invitro data is predictive of topical application success.

1. Aqueous Phase

The aqueous phase can comprise any type of aqueous phase including, butnot limited to, water (e.g., H₂O, distilled water, tap water) andsolutions (e.g., phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution). In certainembodiments, the aqueous phase comprises water at a pH of about 4 to 10,preferably about 6 to 8. The water can be deionized (hereinafter“DiH₂O”). In some embodiments the aqueous phase comprises phosphatebuffered saline (PBS). The aqueous phase may further be sterile andpyrogen free.

2. Organic Solvents

Organic solvents in the nanoemulsions of the invention include, but arenot limited to, C₁-C₁₂ alcohol, diol, triol, dialkyl phosphate,tri-alkyl phosphate, such as tri-n-butyl phosphate, semi-syntheticderivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. In one aspect of theinvention, the organic solvent is an alcohol chosen from a nonpolarsolvent, a polar solvent, a protic solvent, or an aprotic solvent.

Suitable organic solvents for the nanoemulsion include, but are notlimited to, ethanol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, glycerol, medium chaintriglycerides, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO), acetic acid, n-butanol, butylene glycol, perfumers alcohols,isopropanol, n-propanol, formic acid, propylene glycols, glycerol,sorbitol, industrial methylated spirit, triacetin, hexane, benzene,toluene, diethyl ether, chloroform, 1,4-dixoane, tetrahydrofuran,dichloromethane, acetone, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, formic acid, semi-synthetic derivatives thereof, and anycombination thereof.

3. Oil Phase

The oil in the nanoemulsion of the invention can be any cosmetically orpharmaceutically acceptable oil. The oil can be volatile ornon-volatile, and may be chosen from animal oil, vegetable oil, naturaloil, synthetic oil, hydrocarbon oils, silicone oils, semi-syntheticderivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

Suitable oils include, but are not limited to, mineral oil, squaleneoil, flavor oils, silicon oil, essential oils, water insoluble vitamins,Isopropyl stearate, Butyl stearate, Octyl palmitate, Cetyl palmitate,Tridecyl behenate, Diisopropyl adipate, Dioctyl sebacate, Menthylanthranhilate, Cetyl octanoate, Octyl salicylate, Isopropyl myristate,neopentyl glycol dicarpate cetols, Ceraphyls®, Decyl oleate, diisopropyladipate, C₁₂₋₁₅ alkyl lactates, Cetyl lactate, Lauryl lactate,Isostearyl neopentanoate, Myristyl lactate, Isocetyl stearoyl stearate,Octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate, Hydrocarbon oils, Isoparaffin, Fluidparaffins, Isododecane, Petrolatum, Argan oil, Canola oil, Chile oil,Coconut oil, corn oil, Cottonseed oil, Flaxseed oil, Grape seed oil,Mustard oil, Olive oil, Palm oil, Palm kernel oil, Peanut oil, Pine seedoil, Poppy seed oil, Pumpkin seed oil, Rice bran oil, Safflower oil, Teaoil, Truffle oil, Vegetable oil, Apricot (kernel) oil, Jojoba oil(simmondsia chinensis seed oil), Grapeseed oil, Macadamia oil, Wheatgerm oil, Almond oil, Rapeseed oil, Gourd oil, Soybean oil, Sesame oil,Hazelnut oil, Maize oil, Sunflower oil, Hemp oil, Bois oil, Kuki nutoil, Avocado oil, Walnut oil, Fish oil, berry oil, allspice oil, juniperoil, seed oil, almond seed oil, anise seed oil, celery seed oil, cuminseed oil, nutmeg seed oil, leaf oil, basil leaf oil, bay leaf oil,cinnamon leaf oil, common sage leaf oil, eucalyptus leaf oil, lemongrass leaf oil, melaleuca leaf oil, oregano leaf oil, patchouli leafoil, peppermint leaf oil, pine needle oil, rosemary leaf oil, spearmintleaf oil, tea tree leaf oil, thyme leaf oil, wintergreen leaf oil,flower oil, chamomile oil, clary sage oil, clove oil, geranium floweroil, hyssop flower oil, jasmine flower oil, lavender flower oil, manukaflower oil, Marhoram flower oil, orange flower oil, rose flower oil,ylang-ylang flower oil, Bark oil, cassia Bark oil, cinnamon bark oil,sassafras Bark oil, Wood oil, camphor wood oil, cedar wood oil, rosewoodoil, sandalwood oil), rhizome (ginger) wood oil, resin oil, frankincenseoil, myrrh oil, peel oil, bergamot peel oil, grapefruit peel oil, lemonpeel oil, lime peel oil, orange peel oil, tangerine peel oil, root oil,valerian oil, Oleic acid, Linoleic acid, Oleyl alcohol, Isostearylalcohol, semi-synthetic derivatives thereof, and any combinationsthereof.

The oil may further comprise a silicone component, such as a volatilesilicone component, which can be the sole oil in the silicone componentor can be combined with other silicone and non-silicone, volatile andnon-volatile oils. Suitable silicone components include, but are notlimited to, methylphenylpolysiloxane, simethicone, dimethicone,phenyltrimethicone (or an organomodified version thereof), alkylatedderivatives of polymeric silicones, cetyl dimethicone, lauryltrimethicone, hydroxylated derivatives of polymeric silicones, such asdimethiconol, volatile silicone oils, cyclic and linear silicones,cyclomethicone, derivatives of cyclomethicone,hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane,decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, volatile linear dimethylpolysiloxanes,isohexadecane, isoeicosane, isotetracosane, polyisobutene, isooctane,isododecane, semi-synthetic derivatives thereof, and combinationsthereof.

The volatile oil can be the organic solvent, or the volatile oil can bepresent in addition to an organic solvent. Suitable volatile oilsinclude, but are not limited to, a terpene, monoterpene, sesquiterpene,carminative, azulene, menthol, camphor, thujone, thymol, nerol,linalool, limonene, geraniol, perillyl alcohol, nerolidol, farnesol,ylangene, bisabolol, farnesene, ascaridole, chenopodium oil,citronellal, citral, citronellol, chamazulene, yarrow, guaiazulene,chamomile, semi-synthetic derivatives, or combinations thereof.

In one aspect of the invention, the volatile oil in the siliconecomponent is different than the oil in the oil phase.

4. Surfactants/Detergents

The surfactant or detergent in the nanoemulsion of the invention can bea pharmaceutically acceptable ionic surfactant, a pharmaceuticallyacceptable nonionic surfactant, a pharmaceutically acceptable cationicsurfactant, a pharmaceutically acceptable anionic surfactant, or apharmaceutically acceptable zwitterionic surfactant.

Exemplary useful surfactants are described in Applied Surfactants:Principles and Applications. Tharwat F. Tadros, Copyright 8 2005WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim ISBN: 3-527-30629-3), whichis specifically incorporated by reference.

Further, the surfactant can be a pharmaceutically acceptable ionicpolymeric surfactant, a pharmaceutically acceptable nonionic polymericsurfactant, a pharmaceutically acceptable cationic polymeric surfactant,a pharmaceutically acceptable anionic polymeric surfactant, or apharmaceutically acceptable zwitterionic polymeric surfactant. Examplesof polymeric surfactants include, but are not limited to, a graftcopolymer of a poly(methyl methacrylate) backbone with multiple (atleast one) polyethylene oxide (PEO) side chain, polyhydroxystearic acid,an alkoxylated alkyl phenol formaldehyde condensate, a polyalkyleneglycol modified polyester with fatty acid hydrophobes, a polyester,semi-synthetic derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.

Surface active agents or surfactants, are amphipathic molecules thatconsist of a non-polar hydrophobic portion, usually a straight orbranched hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon chain containing 8-18 carbon atoms,attached to a polar or ionic hydrophilic portion. The hydrophilicportion can be nonionic, ionic or zwitterionic. The hydrocarbon chaininteracts weakly with the water molecules in an aqueous environment,whereas the polar or ionic head group interacts strongly with watermolecules via dipole or ion-dipole interactions. Based on the nature ofthe hydrophilic group, surfactants are classified into anionic,cationic, zwitterionic, nonionic and polymeric surfactants.

Suitable surfactants include, but are not limited to, ethoxylatednonylphenol comprising 9 to 10 units of ethyleneglycol, ethoxylatedundecanol comprising 8 units of ethyleneglycol, polyoxyethylene (20)sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate,polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene (20)sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate,sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan monooleate, ethoxylated hydrogenatedricin oils, sodium laurylsulfate, a diblock copolymer of ethyleneoxydeand propyleneoxyde, Ethylene Oxide-Propylene Oxide Block Copolymers, andtetra-functional block copolymers based on ethylene oxide and propyleneoxide, Glyceryl monoesters, Glyceryl caprate, Glyceryl caprylate,Glyceryl cocate, Glyceryl erucate, Glyceryl hydroxysterate, Glycerylisostearate, Glyceryl lanolate, Glyceryl laurate, Glyceryl linolate,Glyceryl myristate, Glyceryl oleate, Glyceryl PABA, Glyceryl palmitate,Glyceryl ricinoleate, Glyceryl stearate, Glyceryl thighlycolate,Glyceryl dilaurate, Glyceryl dioleate, Glyceryl dimyristate, Glyceryldisterate, Glyceryl sesuioleate, Glyceryl stearate lactate,Polyoxyethylene cetyl/stearyl ether, Polyoxyethylene cholesterol ether,Polyoxyethylene laurate or dilaurate, Polyoxyethylene stearate ordistearate, polyoxyethylene fatty ethers, Polyoxyethylene lauryl ether,Polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene myristyl ether, asteroid, Cholesterol, Betasitosterol, Bisabolol, fatty acid esters ofalcohols, isopropyl myristate, Aliphati-isopropyl n-butyrate, Isopropyln-hexanoate, Isopropyl n-decanoate, Isoproppyl palmitate, Octyldodecylmyristate, alkoxylated alcohols, alkoxylated acids, alkoxylated amides,alkoxylated sugar derivatives, alkoxylated derivatives of natural oilsand waxes, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymers,nonoxynol-14, PEG-8 laurate, PEG-6 Cocoamide, PEG-20 methylglucosesesquistearate, PEG40 lanolin, PEG-40 castor oil, PEG-40 hydrogenatedcastor oil, polyoxyethylene fatty ethers, glyceryl diesters,polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene myristyl ether, andpolyoxyethylene lauryl ether, glyceryl dilaurate, glyceryl dimystate,glyceryl distearate, semi-synthetic derivatives thereof, or mixturesthereof.

Additional suitable surfactants include, but are not limited to,non-ionic lipids, such as glyceryl laurate, glyceryl myristate, glyceryldilaurate, glyceryl dimyristate, semi-synthetic derivatives thereof, andmixtures thereof.

In additional embodiments, the surfactant is a polyoxyethylene fattyether having a polyoxyethylene head group ranging from about 2 to about100 groups, or an alkoxylated alcohol having the structureR₅—(OCH₂CH₂)_(y)—OH, wherein R₅ is a branched or unbranched alkyl grouphaving from about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms and y is between about 4and about 100, and preferably, between about 10 and about 100.Preferably, the alkoxylated alcohol is the species wherein R₅ is alauryl group and y has an average value of 23.

In a different embodiment, the surfactant is an alkoxylated alcoholwhich is an ethoxylated derivative of lanolin alcohol. Preferably, theethoxylated derivative of lanolin alcohol is laneth-10, which is thepolyethylene glycol ether of lanolin alcohol with an averageethoxylation value of 10.

Nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, an ethoxylatedsurfactant, an alcohol ethoxylated, an alkyl phenol ethoxylated, a fattyacid ethoxylated, a monoalkaolamide ethoxylated, a sorbitan esterethoxylated, a fatty amino ethoxylated, an ethylene oxide-propyleneoxide copolymer, Bis(polyethylene glycol bis[imidazoyl carbonyl]),nonoxynol-9, Bis(polyethylene glycol bis[imidazoyl carbonyl]), Brij® 35,Brij® 56, Brij® 72, Brij® 76, Brij® 92V, Brij® 97, Brij® 58P, Cremophor®EL, Decaethylene glycol monododecyl ether, N-Decanoyl-N-methylglucamine,n-Decyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside, Decyl beta-D-maltopyranoside,n-Dodecanoyl-N-methylglucamide, n-Dodecyl alpha-D-maltoside, n-Dodecylbeta-D-maltoside, n-Dodecyl beta-D-maltoside, Heptaethylene glycolmonodecyl ether, Heptaethylene glycol monododecyl ether, Heptaethyleneglycol monotetradecyl ether, n-Hexadecyl beta-D-maltoside, Hexaethyleneglycol monododecyl ether, Hexaethylene glycol monohexadecyl ether,Hexaethylene glycol monooctadecyl ether, Hexaethylene glycolmonotetradecyl ether, Igepal CA-630, Igepal CA-630,Methyl-6-O—(N-heptylcarbamoyl)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside, Nonaethyleneglycol monododecyl ether, N—N-Nonanoyl-N-methylglucamine, Octaethyleneglycol monodecyl ether, Octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether,Octaethylene glycol monohexadecyl ether, Octaethylene glycolmonooctadecyl ether, Octaethylene glycol monotetradecyl ether,Octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, Pentaethylene glycol monodecyl ether,Pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ether, Pentaethylene glycolmonohexadecyl ether, Pentaethylene glycol monohexyl ether, Pentaethyleneglycol monooctadecyl ether, Pentaethylene glycol monooctyl ether,Polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, Polyethylene glycol ether W-1,Polyoxyethylene 10 tridecyl ether, Polyoxyethylene 100 stearate,Polyoxyethylene 20 isohexadecyl ether, Polyoxyethylene 20 oleyl ether,Polyoxyethylene 40 stearate, Polyoxyethylene 50 stearate,Polyoxyethylene 8 stearate, Polyoxyethylene bis(imidazolyl carbonyl),Polyoxyethylene 25 propylene glycol stearate, Saponin from Quillajabark, Span® 20, Span® 40, Span® 60, Span® 65, Span® 80, Span® 85,Tergitol, Type 15-S-12, Tergitol, Type 15-S-30, Tergitol, Type 15-S-5,Tergitol, Type 15-S-7, Tergitol, Type 15-S-9, Tergitol, Type NP-10,Tergitol, Type NP-4, Tergitol, Type NP-40, Tergitol, Type NP-7,Tergitol, Type NP-9, Tergitol, Tergitol, Type TMN-10, Tergitol, TypeTMN-6, Tetradecyl-beta-D-maltoside, Tetraethylene glycol monodecylether, Tetraethylene glycol monododecyl ether, Tetraethylene glycolmonotetradecyl ether, Triethylene glycol monodecyl ether, Triethyleneglycol monododecyl ether, Triethylene glycol monohexadecyl ether,Triethylene glycol monooctyl ether, Triethylene glycol monotetradecylether, Triton CF-21, Triton CF-32, Triton DF-12, Triton DF-16, TritonGR-5M, Triton QS-15, Triton QS-44, Triton X-100, Triton X-102, TritonX-15, Triton X-151, Triton X-200, Triton X-207, Triton® X-114, Triton®X-165, Triton® X-305, Triton® X-405, Triton® X-45, Triton® X-705-70,TWEEN® 20, TWEEN® 21, TWEEN® 40, TWEEN® 60, TWEEN® 61, TWEEN® 65, TWEEN®80, TWEEN® 81, TWEEN® 85, Tyloxapol, n-Undecyl beta-D-glucopyranoside,semi-synthetic derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.

In addition, the nonionic surfactant can be a poloxamer. Poloxamers arepolymers made of a block of polyoxyethylene, followed by a block ofpolyoxypropylene, followed by a block of polyoxyethylene. The averagenumber of units of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene varies based onthe number associated with the polymer. For example, the smallestpolymer, Poloxamer 101, consists of a block with an average of 2 unitsof polyoxyethylene, a block with an average of 16 units ofpolyoxypropylene, followed by a block with an average of 2 units ofpolyoxyethylene. Poloxamers range from colorless liquids and pastes towhite solids. In cosmetics and personal care products, Poloxamers areused in the formulation of skin cleansers, bath products, shampoos, hairconditioners, mouthwashes, eye makeup remover and other skin and hairproducts. Examples of Poloxamers include, but are not limited to,Poloxamer 101, Poloxamer 105, Poloxamer 108, Poloxamer 122, Poloxamer123, Poloxamer 124, Poloxamer 181, Poloxamer 182, Poloxamer 183,Poloxamer 184, Poloxamer 185, Poloxamer 188, Poloxamer 212, Poloxamer215, Poloxamer 217, Poloxamer 231, Poloxamer 234, Poloxamer 235,Poloxamer 237, Poloxamer 238, Poloxamer 282, Poloxamer 284, Poloxamer288, Poloxamer 331, Poloxamer 333, Poloxamer 334, Poloxamer 335,Poloxamer 338, Poloxamer 401, Poloxamer 402, Poloxamer 403, Poloxamer407, Poloxamer 105 Benzoate, and Poloxamer 182 Dibenzoate.

Suitable cationic surfactants include, but are not limited to, aquarternary ammonium compound, an alkyl trimethyl ammonium chloridecompound, a dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride compound, a cationichalogen-containing compound, such as cetylpyridinium chloride,Benzalkonium chloride, Benzalkonium chloride,Benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium chloride,Benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium chloride, Benzyldodecyldimethylammoniumbromide, Benzyltrimethylammonium tetrachloroiodate,Dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide, Dodecylethyldimethylammoniumbromide, Dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, Dodecyltrimethylammoniumbromide, Ethylhexadecyldimethylammonium bromide, Girard's reagent T,Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide,N,N′,N′-Polyoxyethylene(10)-N-tallow-1,3-diaminopropane, Thonzoniumbromide, Trimethyl(tetradecyl)ammonium bromide,1,3,5-Triazine-1,3,5(2H,4H,6H)-triethanol, 1-Decanaminium,N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl-, chloride, Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,2-(2-(p-(Diisobutyl)cresosxy)ethoxy)ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammoniumchloride, 2-(2-(p-(Diisobutyl)phenoxy)ethoxy)ethyl dimethyl benzylammonium chloride, Alkyl 1 or 3 benzyl-1-(2-hydroxethyl)-2-imidazoliniumchloride, Alkyl bis(2-hydroxyethyl) benzyl ammonium chloride, Alkyldemethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, Alkyl dimethyl 3,4-dichlorobenzylammonium chloride (100% C12), Alkyl dimethyl 3,4-dichlorobenzyl ammoniumchloride (50% C14, 40% C12, 10% C16), Alkyl dimethyl 3,4-dichlorobenzylammonium chloride (55% C14, 23% C12, 20% C16), Alkyl dimethyl benzylammonium chloride, Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (100% C14),Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (100% C16), Alkyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (41% C14, 28% C12), Alkyl dimethyl benzylammonium chloride (47% C12, 18% C14), Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammoniumchloride (55% C16, 20% C14), Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride(58% C14, 28% C16), Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (60% C14,25% C12), Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (61% C11, 23% C14),Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (61% C12, 23% C14), Alkyldimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (65% C12, 25% C14), Alkyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (67% C12, 24% C14), Alkyl dimethyl benzylammonium chloride (67% C12, 25% C14), Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammoniumchloride (90% C14, 5% C12), Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (93%C14, 4% C12), Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (95% C16, 5% C18),Alkyl didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammoniumchloride (C12-16), Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (C12-18),dialkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, Alkyl dimethyl dimethybenzylammonium chloride, Alkyl dimethyl ethyl ammonium bromide (90% C14, 5%C16, 5% C12), Alkyl dimethyl ethyl ammonium bromide (mixed alkyl andalkenyl groups as in the fatty acids of soybean oil), Alkyl dimethylethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, Alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammoniumchloride (60% C14), Alkyl dimethyl isopropylbenzyl ammonium chloride(50% C12, 30% C14, 17% C16, 3% C18), Alkyl trimethyl ammonium chloride(58% C18, 40% C16, 1% C14, 1% C12), Alkyl trimethyl ammonium chloride(90% C18, 10% C16), Alkyldimethyl(ethylbenzyl) ammonium chloride(C12-18), Di-(C8-10)-alkyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides, Dialkyl dimethylammonium chloride, Dialkyl methyl benzyl ammonium chloride, Didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride, Diisodecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,Dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, Dodecyl bis(2-hydroxyethyl) octylhydrogen ammonium chloride, Dodecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride,Dodecylcarbamoyl methyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, Heptadecylhydroxyethylimidazolinium chloride,Hexahydro-1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine, Myristalkonium chloride(and) Quat RNIUM 14, N,N-Dimethyl-2-hydroxypropylammonium chloridepolymer, n-Tetradecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride monohydrate,Octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, Octyl dodecyl dimethyl ammoniumchloride, Octyphenoxyethoxyethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride,Oxydiethylenebis(alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride), Trimethoxysilypropyl dimethyl octadecyl ammonium chloride, Trimethoxysilyl quats,Trimethyl dodecylbenzyl ammonium chloride, semi-synthetic derivativesthereof, and combinations thereof.

Exemplary cationic halogen-containing compounds include, but are notlimited to, cetylpyridinium halides, cetyltrimethylammonium halides,cetyldimethylethylammonium halides, cetyldimethylbenzylammonium halides,cetyltributylphosphonium halides, dodecyltrimethylammonium halides, ortetradecyltrimethylammonium halides. In some particular embodiments,suitable cationic halogen containing compounds comprise, but are notlimited to, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), cetyltrimethylammoniumchloride, cetylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride, cetylpyridinium bromide(CPB), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), cetyidimethylethylammoniumbromide, cetyltributylphosphonium bromide, dodecyltrimethylammoniumbromide, and tetrad ecyltrimethylammonium bromide. In particularlypreferred embodiments, the cationic halogen containing compound is CPC,although the compositions of the present invention are not limited toformulation with a particular cationic containing compound.

Suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, acarboxylate, a sulphate, a sulphonate, a phosphate, chenodeoxycholicacid, chenodeoxycholic acid sodium salt, cholic acid, ox or sheep bile,Dehydrocholic acid, Deoxycholic acid, Deoxycholic acid, Deoxycholic acidmethyl ester, Digitonin, Digitoxigenin, N,N-DimethyldodecylamineN-oxide, Docusate sodium salt, Glycochenodeoxycholic acid sodium salt,Glycocholic acid hydrate, synthetic, Glycocholic acid sodium salthydrate, synthetic, Glycodeoxycholic acid monohydrate, Glycodeoxycholicacid sodium salt, Glycolithocholic acid 3-sulfate disodium salt,Glycolithocholic acid ethyl ester, N-Lauroylsarcosine sodium salt,N-Lauroylsarcosine solution, N-Lauroylsarcosine solution, Lithiumdodecyl sulfate, Lithium dodecyl sulfate, Lithium dodecyl sulfate, Lugolsolution, Niaproof 4, Type 4,1-Octanesulfonic acid sodium salt, Sodium1-butanesulfonate, Sodium 1-decanesulfonate, Sodium 1-decanesulfonate,Sodium 1-dodecanesulfonate, Sodium 1-heptanesulfonate anhydrous, Sodium1-heptanesulfonate anhydrous, Sodium 1-nonanesulfonate, Sodium1-propanesulfonate monohydrate, Sodium 2-bromoethanesulfonate, Sodiumcholate hydrate, Sodium choleate, Sodium deoxycholate, Sodiumdeoxycholate monohydrate, Sodium dodecyl sulfate, Sodium hexanesulfonateanhydrous, Sodium octyl sulfate, Sodium pentanesulfonate anhydrous,Sodium taurocholate, Taurochenodeoxycholic acid sodium salt,Taurodeoxycholic acid sodium salt monohydrate, Taurohyodeoxycholic acidsodium salt hydrate, Taurolithocholic acid 3-sulfate disodium salt,Tauroursodeoxycholic acid sodium salt, Trizma® dodecyl sulfate, TWEEN®80, Ursodeoxycholic acid, semi-synthetic derivatives thereof, andcombinations thereof.

Suitable zwitterionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, anN-alkyl betaine, lauryl amindo propyl dimethyl betaine, an alkyldimethyl glycinate, an N-alkyl amino propionate, CHAPS, minimum 98%(TLC), CHAPS, SigmaUltra, minimum 98% (TLC), CHAPS, for electrophoresis,minimum 98% (TLC), CHAPSO, minimum 98%, CHAPSO, SigmaUltra, CHAPSO, forelectrophoresis, 3-(Decyldimethylammonio)propanesulfonate inner salt,3-Dodecyldimethylammonio)propanesulfonate inner salt, SigmaUltra,3-(Dodecyldimethylammonio)propanesulfonate inner salt,3-(N,N-Dimethylmyristylammonio)propanesulfonate,3-(N,N-Dimethyloctadecylammonio)propanesulfonate,3-(N,N-Dimethyloctylammonio)propanesulfonate inner salt,3-(N,N-Dimethylpalmitylammonio)propanesulfonate, semi-syntheticderivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the nanoemulsion comprises a cationic surfactant,which can be cetylpyridinium chloride. In other embodiments of theinvention, the nanoemulsion comprises a cationic surfactant, and theconcentration of the cationic surfactant is less than about 5.0% andgreater than about 0.001%. In yet another embodiment of the invention,the nanoemulsion comprises a cationic surfactant, and the concentrationof the cationic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of lessthan about 5%, less than about 4.5%, less than about 4.0%, less thanabout 3.5%, less than about 3.0%, less than about 2.5%, less than about2.0%, less than about 1.5%, less than about 1.0%, less than about 0.90%,less than about 0.80%, less than about 0.70%, less than about 0.60%,less than about 0.50%, less than about 0.40%, less than about 0.30%,less than about 0.20%, or less than about 0.10%. Further, theconcentration of the cationic agent in the nanoemulsion is greater thanabout 0.002%, greater than about 0.003%, greater than about 0.004%,greater than about 0.005%, greater than about 0.006%, greater than about0.007%, greater than about 0.008%, greater than about 0.009%, greaterthan about 0.010%, or greater than about 0.001%. In one embodiment, theconcentration of the cationic agent in the nanoemulsion is less thanabout 5.0% and greater than about 0.001%.

In another embodiment of the invention, the nanoemulsion comprises atleast one cationic surfactant and at least one non-cationic surfactant.The non-cationic surfactant is a nonionic surfactant, such as apolysorbate (Tween), such as polysorbate 80 or polysorbate 20. In oneembodiment, the non-ionic surfactant is present in a concentration ofabout 0.05% to about 7.0%, or the non-ionic surfactant is present in aconcentration of about 0.5% to about 4%. In yet another embodiment ofthe invention, the nanoemulsion comprises a cationic surfactant presentin a concentration of about 0.01% to about 2%, in combination with anonionic surfactant.

5. Additional Ingredients

Additional compounds suitable for use in the nanoemulsions of theinvention include but are not limited to one or more solvents, such asan organic phosphate-based solvent, bulking agents, coloring agents,pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, a preservative, pH adjuster,buffer, chelating agent, etc. The additional compounds can be admixedinto a previously emulsified nanoemulsion, or the additional compoundscan be added to the original mixture to be emulsified. In certain ofthese embodiments, one or more additional compounds are admixed into anexisting nanoemulsion composition immediately prior to its use.

Suitable preservatives in the nanoemulsions of the invention include,but are not limited to, cetylpyridinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride,benzyl alcohol, chlorhexidine, imidazolidinyl urea, phenol, potassiumsorbate, benzoic acid, bronopol, chlorocresol, paraben esters,phenoxyethanol, sorbic acid, alpha-tocophernol, ascorbic acid, ascorbylpalmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, sodiumascorbate, sodium metabisulphite, citric acid, edetic acid,semi-synthetic derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. Othersuitable preservatives include, but are not limited to, benzyl alcohol,chlorhexidine (bis(p-chlorophenyldiguanido) hexane), chlorphenesin(3-(-4-chloropheoxy)propane-1,2-diol), Kathon CG (methyl andmethylchloroisothiazolinone), parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, butylhydrobenzoates), phenoxyethanol (2-phenoxyethanol), sorbic acid(potassium sorbate, sorbic acid), Phenonip (phenoxyethanol, methyl,ethyl, butyl, propyl parabens), Phenoroc (phenoxyethanol 0.73%, methylparaben 0.2%, propyl paraben 0.07%), Liquipar Oil (isopropyl, isobutyl,butylparabens), Liquipar PE (70% phenoxyethanol, 30% liquipar oil),Nipaguard MPA (benzyl alcohol (70%), methyl & propyl parabens),Nipaguard MPS (propylene glycol, methyl & propyl parabens), Nipasept(methyl, ethyl and propyl parabens), Nipastat (methyl, butyl, ethyl andpropyel parabens), Elestab 388 (phenoxyethanol in propylene glycol pluschlorphenesin and methylparaben), and Killitol (7.5% chlorphenesin and7.5% methyl parabens).

The nanoemulsion may further comprise at least one pH adjuster. SuitablepH adjusters in the nanoemulsion of the invention include, but are notlimited to, diethyanolamine, lactic acid, monoethanolamine,triethylanolamine, sodium hydroxide, sodium phosphate, semi-syntheticderivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

In addition, the nanoemulsion can comprise a chelating agent. In oneembodiment of the invention, the chelating agent is present in an amountof about 0.0005% to about 1.0%. Examples of chelating agents include,but are not limited to, phytic acid, polyphosphoric acid, citric acid,gluconic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, ethylenediamine,ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and dimercaprol, and a preferredchelating agent is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.

The nanoemulsion can comprise a buffering agent, such as apharmaceutically acceptable buffering agent. Examples of bufferingagents include, but are not limited to,2-Amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, ≧99.5% (NT),2-Amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, ≧99.0% (GC), L-(+)-Tartaric acid, ≧99.5%(T), ACES, ≧99.5% (T), ADA, ≧99.0% (T), Acetic acid, ≧99.5% (GC/T),Acetic acid, for luminescence, ≧99.5% (GC/T), Ammonium acetate solution,for molecular biology, ˜5 M in H₂O, Ammonium acetate, for luminescence,≧99.0% (calc. on dry substance, T), Ammonium bicarbonate, ≧99.5% (T),Ammonium citrate dibasic, ≧99.0% (T), Ammonium formate solution, 10 M inH₂O, Ammonium formate, ≧99.0% (calc. based on dry substance, NT),Ammonium oxalate monohydrate, ≧99.5% (RT), Ammonium phosphate dibasicsolution, 2.5 M in H₂O, Ammonium phosphate dibasic, ≧99.0% (T), Ammoniumphosphate monobasic solution, 2.5 M in H₂O, Ammonium phosphatemonobasic, ≧99.5% (T), Ammonium sodium phosphate dibasic tetrahydrate,≧99.5% (NT), Ammonium sulfate solution, for molecular biology, 3.2 M inH₂O, Ammonium tartrate dibasic solution, 2 M in H₂O (colorless solutionat 20° C.), Ammonium tartrate dibasic, ≧99.5% (T), BES buffered saline,for molecular biology, 2× concentrate, BES, ≧99.5% (T), BES, formolecular biology, ≧99.5% (T), BICINE buffer Solution, for molecularbiology, 1 M in H₂O, BICINE, ≧99.5% (T), BIS-TRIS, ≧99.0% (NT),Bicarbonate buffer solution, >0.1 M Na₂CO₃, >0.2 M NaHCO₃, Boric acid,≧99.5% (T), Boric acid, for molecular biology, ≧99.5% (T), CAPS, ≧99.0%(TLC), CHES, ≧99.5% (T), Calcium acetate hydrate, ≧99.0% (calc. on driedmaterial, KT), Calcium carbonate, precipitated, ≧99.0% (KT), Calciumcitrate tribasic tetrahydrate, ≧98.0% (calc. on dry substance, KT),Citrate Concentrated Solution, for molecular biology, 1 M in H₂O, Citricacid, anhydrous, ≧99.5% (T), Citric acid, for luminescence, anhydrous,≧99.5% (T), Diethanolamine, ≧99.5% (GC), EPPS, ≧99.0% (T),Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate, for molecularbiology, ≧99.0% (T), Formic acid solution, 1.0 M in H₂O, Gly-Gly-Gly,≧99.0% (NT), Gly-Gly, ≧99.5% (NT), Glycine, ≧99.0% (NT), Glycine, forluminescence, ≧99.0% (NT), Glycine, for molecular biology, ≧99.0% (NT),HEPES buffered saline, for molecular biology, 2× concentrate, HEPES,≧99.5% (T), HEPES, for molecular biology, ≧99.5% (T), Imidazole bufferSolution, 1 M in H₂O, Imidazole, ≧99.5% (GC), Imidazole, forluminescence, ≧99.5% (GC), Imidazole, for molecular biology, ≧99.5%(GC), Lipoprotein Refolding Buffer, Lithium acetate dihydrate, ≧99.0%(NT), Lithium citrate tribasic tetrahydrate, ≧99.5% (NT), MES hydrate,≧99.5% (T), MES monohydrate, for luminescence, ≧99.5% (T), MES solution,for molecular biology, 0.5 M in H₂O, MOPS, ≧99.5% (T), MOPS, forluminescence, ≧99.5% (T), MOPS, for molecular biology, ≧99.5% (T),Magnesium acetate solution, for molecular biology, ˜1 M in H₂O,Magnesium acetate tetrahydrate, ≧99.0% (KT), Magnesium citrate tribasicnonahydrate, ≧98.0% (calc. based on dry substance, KT), Magnesiumformate solution, 0.5 M in H₂O, Magnesium phosphate dibasic trihydrate,≧98.0% (KT), Neutralization solution for the in-situ hybridization forin-situ hybridization, for molecular biology, Oxalic acid dihydrate,≧99.5% (RT), PIPES, ≧99.5% (T), PIPES, for molecular biology, ≧99.5%(T), Phosphate buffered saline, solution (autoclaved), Phosphatebuffered saline, washing buffer for peroxidase conjugates in WesternBlotting, 10× concentrate, piperazine, anhydrous, ≧99.0% (T), PotassiumD-tartrate monobasic, ≧99.0% (T), Potassium acetate solution, formolecular biology, Potassium acetate solution, for molecular biology, 5M in H₂O, Potassium acetate solution, for molecular biology, ˜1 M inH₂O, Potassium acetate, ≧99.0% (NT), Potassium acetate, forluminescence, ≧99.0% (NT), Potassium acetate, for molecular biology,≧99.0% (NT), Potassium bicarbonate, ≧99.5% (T), Potassium carbonate,anhydrous, ≧99.0% (T), Potassium chloride, ≧99.5% (AT), Potassiumcitrate monobasic, ≧99.0% (dried material, NT), Potassium citratetribasic solution, 1 M in H₂O, Potassium formate solution, 14 M in H₂O,Potassium formate, ≧99.5% (NT), Potassium oxalate monohydrate, ≧99.0%(RT), Potassium phosphate dibasic, anhydrous, ≧99.0% (T), Potassiumphosphate dibasic, for luminescence, anhydrous, ≧99.0% (T), Potassiumphosphate dibasic, for molecular biology, anhydrous, ≧99.0% (T),Potassium phosphate monobasic, anhydrous, ≧99.5% (T), Potassiumphosphate monobasic, for molecular biology, anhydrous, ≧99.5% (T),Potassium phosphate tribasic monohydrate, ≧95% (T), Potassium phthalatemonobasic, ≧99.5% (T), Potassium sodium tartrate solution, 1.5 M in H₂O,Potassium sodium tartrate tetrahydrate, ≧99.5% (NT), Potassiumtetraborate tetrahydrate, ≧99.0% (T), Potassium tetraoxalate dihydrate,≧99.5% (RT), Propionic acid solution, 1.0 M in H₂O, STE buffer solution,for molecular biology, pH 7.8, STET buffer solution, for molecularbiology, pH 8.0, Sodium 5,5-diethylbarbiturate, ≧99.5% (NT), Sodiumacetate solution, for molecular biology, ˜3 M in H₂O, Sodium acetatetrihydrate, ≧99.5% (NT), Sodium acetate, anhydrous, ≧99.0% (NT), Sodiumacetate, for luminescence, anhydrous, ≧99.0% (NT), Sodium acetate, formolecular biology, anhydrous, ≧99.0% (NT), Sodium bicarbonate, ≧99.5%(T), Sodium bitartrate monohydrate, ≧99.0% (T), Sodium carbonatedecahydrate, ≧99.5% (T), Sodium carbonate, anhydrous, ≧99.5% (calc. ondry substance, T), Sodium citrate monobasic, anhydrous, ≧99.5% (T),Sodium citrate tribasic dihydrate, ≧99.0% (NT), Sodium citrate tribasicdihydrate, for luminescence, ≧99.0% (NT), Sodium citrate tribasicdihydrate, for molecular biology, ≧99.5% (NT), Sodium formate solution,8 M in H₂O, Sodium oxalate, ≧99.5% (RT), Sodium phosphate dibasicdihydrate, ≧99.0% (T), Sodium phosphate dibasic dihydrate, forluminescence, ≧99.0% (T), Sodium phosphate dibasic dihydrate, formolecular biology, ≧99.0% (T), Sodium phosphate dibasic dodecahydrate,≧99.0% (T), Sodium phosphate dibasic solution, 0.5 M in H₂O, Sodiumphosphate dibasic, anhydrous, ≧99.5% (T), Sodium phosphate dibasic, formolecular biology, ≧99.5% (T), Sodium phosphate monobasic dihydrate,≧99.0% (T), Sodium phosphate monobasic dihydrate, for molecular biology,≧99.0% (T), Sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, for molecularbiology, ≧99.5% (T), Sodium phosphate monobasic solution, 5 M in H₂O,Sodium pyrophosphate dibasic, ≧99.0% (T), Sodium pyrophosphatetetrabasic decahydrate, ≧99.5% (T), Sodium tartrate dibasic dihydrate,≧99.0% (NT), Sodium tartrate dibasic solution, 1.5 M in H₂O (colorlesssolution at 20° C.), Sodium tetraborate decahydrate, ≧99.5% (T), TAPS,≧99.5% (T), TES, ≧99.5% (calc. based on dry substance, T), TM buffersolution, for molecular biology, pH 7.4, TNT buffer solution, formolecular biology, pH 8.0, TRIS Glycine buffer solution, 10×concentrate, TRIS acetate—EDTA buffer solution, for molecular biology,TRIS buffered saline, 10× concentrate, TRIS glycine SDS buffer solution,for electrophoresis, 10× concentrate, TRIS phosphate-EDTA buffersolution, for molecular biology, concentrate, 10× concentrate, Tricine,≧99.5% (NT), Triethanolamine, ≧99.5% (GC), Triethylamine, ≧99.5% (GC),Triethylammonium acetate buffer, volatile buffer, ˜1.0 M in H₂O,Triethylammonium phosphate solution, volatile buffer, ˜1.0 M in H₂O,Trimethylammonium acetate solution, volatile buffer, ˜1.0 M in H₂O,Trimethylammonium phosphate solution, volatile buffer, ˜1 M in H₂O,Tris-EDTA buffer solution, for molecular biology, concentrate, 100×concentrate, Tris-EDTA buffer solution, for molecular biology, pH 7.4,Tris-EDTA buffer solution, for molecular biology, pH 8.0, Trizma®acetate, ≧99.0% (NT), Trizma® base, ≧99.8% (T), Trizma® base, ≧99.8%(T), Trizma® base, for luminescence, ≧99.8% (T), Trizma® base, formolecular biology, ≧99.8% (T), Trizma® carbonate, ≧98.5% (T), Trizma°hydrochloride buffer solution, for molecular biology, pH 7.2, Trizma®hydrochloride buffer solution, for molecular biology, pH 7.4, Trizma®hydrochloride buffer solution, for molecular biology, pH 7.6, Trizma®hydrochloride buffer solution, for molecular biology, pH 8.0, Trizma®hydrochloride, ≧99.0% (AT), Trizma® hydrochloride, for luminescence,≧99.0% (AT), Trizma® hydrochloride, for molecular biology, ≧99.0% (AT),and Trizma® maleate, ≧99.5% (NT).

The nanoemulsion can comprise one or more emulsifying agents to aid inthe formation of emulsions. Emulsifying agents include compounds thataggregate at the oil/water interface to form a kind of continuousmembrane that prevents direct contact between two adjacent droplets.Certain embodiments of the present invention feature nanoemulsions thatmay readily be diluted with water to a desired concentration withoutimpairing their antiviral properties.

6. Active Agents Incorporated into a Nanoemulsion of the Invention

In a further embodiment of the invention, a nanoemulsion comprises anadditional active agent, such as an antibiotic or a palliative agent(such as for cancer treatment). Addition of another agent may enhancethe therapeutic effectiveness of the nanoemulsion. Any) agent suitablefor treating cancer can be incorporated into the topical nanoemulsionsof the invention.

Examples of antibiotic agents include, but are not limited to,aminoglycosides, Ansamycins, Carbacephems, Carbapenems, Cephalosporins,Glycopeptides, Macrolides, Monobactams, Penicillins, Polypeptides,Polymyxin, Quinolones, Sulfonamides, Tetracyclines, and others (e.g.,Arsphenamine, Chloramphenicol, Clindamycin, Lincomycin, Ethambutol,Fosfomycin, Fusidic acid, Furazolidone, Isoniazid, Linezolid,Metronidazole, Mupirocin, Nitrofurantoin, Platensimycin, Pyrazinamide,Quinupristin/Dalfopristin, Rifampicin (Rifampin in US), Thiamphenicol,Tinidazole, Dapsone, and lofazimine).

Examples of these classes of antibiotics include, but are not limitedto, Amikacin, Gentamicin, Kanamycin, Neomycin, Netilmicin, Streptomycin,Tobramycin, Paromomycin, Geldanamycin, Herbimycin, Loracarbef,Ertapenem, Doripenem, Imipenem/Cilastatin, Meropenem, Cefadroxil,Cefazolin, Cefalotin or Cefalothin, Cefalexin, Cefaclor, Cefamandole,Cefoxitin, Cefprozil, Cefuroxime, Cefixime, Cefdinir, Cefditoren,Cefoperazone, Cefotaxime, Cefpodoxime, Ceftazidime, Ceftibuten,Ceftizoxime, Ceftriaxone, Cefepime, Ceftobiprole, Teicoplanin,Vancomycin, Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, Dirithromycin, Erythromycin,Roxithromycin, Troleandomycin, Telithromycin, Spectinomycin, Aztreonam,Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Azlocillin, Carbenicillin, Cloxacillin,Dicloxacillin, Flucloxacillin, Mezlocillin, Meticillin, Nafcillin,Oxacillin, Penicillin, Piperacillin, Ticarcillin, Bacitracin, Colistin,Polymyxin B, Ciprofloxacin, Enoxacin, Gatifloxacin, Levofloxacin,Lomefloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin, Trovafloxacin,Grepafloxacin, Sparfloxacin, Temafloxacin, Mafenide,Sulfonamidochrysoidine (archaic), Sulfacetamide, Sulfadiazine,Sulfamethizole, Sulfanilimide (archaic), Sulfasalazine, Sulfisoxazole,Trimethoprim, rimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (Co-trimoxazole) (TMP-SMX),Demeclocycline, Doxycycline, Minocycline, Oxytetracycline, andTetracycline.

Examples of palliative agents which may be incorporated into thenanoemulsions of the invention include, but are not limited to, menthol,camphor, phenol, allantoin, benzocaine, corticosteroids, phenol, zincoxide, camphor, pramoxine, dimethicone, meradimate, octinoxate,octisalate, oxybenzone, dyclonine, alcohols (e.g., benzyl alcohol),mineral oil, propylene glycol, titanium dioxide, silver nitrate (AgNO₃),silver sulfadiazine, mafenide acetate, nanocrystalline impregnatedsilver dressings, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, and magnesium stearate.

Exemplary Nanoemulsions

Several exemplary nanoemulsions are described below, although themethods of the invention are not limited to the use of suchnanoemulsions. The components and quantity of each can be varied asdescribed herein in the preparation of other nanoemulsions. (“CPC”refers to cetylpyridinium chloride, which is a cationic surfactantpresent in the nanoemulsions). Compositions are yaw % unless otherwisenoted.

TABLE 1 Exemplary Nanoemulsions Nanoemulsion Component Weight PercentW₂₀5EC ED Distilled Water 23.418% EDTA 0.0745% Cetylpyridinium Chloride1.068% Tween 20 5.92% Ethanol 6.73% Soybean Oil 62.79% P₄₀₇5EC DistilledWater 23.49% CPC 1.068% Poloxamer 407 5.92% Ethanol 6.73% Soybean Oil,NP 62.79% W₂₀5GBA₂ (v/v %) Distilled Water 20.93% BTC 824 2% Tween 20 5%Glycerine 8% Soybean Oil 64% W₈₀5EC Water 23.490% Ethanol 6.730%Cetylpyridinium Chloride 1.068% Polysorbate 80 5.920% Refined SoybeanOil 62.790%

The following nanoemulsions have an average particle (droplet) size ofabout 300 nm to about 600 nm: W₂₀5EC ED, P₄₀₇5EC, W₂₀5 GBA₂, W₈₀5EC, andW₂₀5 GBA₂ED. The formulations listed in the table above are “neat” or“concentrated” formulations, meaning that the formulation intended fortherapeutic use can be diluted as desired.

Methods of Manufacture

The nanoemulsions of the invention can be formed using classic emulsionforming techniques. See e.g., U.S. 2004/0043041. See also U.S. Pat. Nos.6,015,832, 6,506,803, 6,559,189, 6,635,676, and US Patent PublicationNo. 20040043041, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Inaddition, methods of making emulsions are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,103,497 and 4,895,452 (herein incorporated by reference). In anexemplary method, the oil is mixed with the aqueous phase underrelatively high shear forces (e.g., using high hydraulic and mechanicalforces) to obtain a nanoemulsion comprising oil droplets having anaverage diameter of less than about 1000 nm. Some embodiments of theinvention employ a nanoemulsion having an oil phase comprising analcohol such as ethanol. The oil and aqueous phases can be blended usingany apparatus capable of producing shear forces sufficient to form anemulsion, such as French Presses or high shear mixers (e.g., FDAapproved high shear mixers are available, for example, from Admix, Inc.,Manchester, N.H.). Methods of producing such emulsions are described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,103,497 and 4,895,452, herein incorporated by referencein their entireties.

In an exemplary embodiment, the nanoemulsions used in the methods of theinvention comprise droplets of an oily discontinuous phase dispersed inan aqueous continuous phase, such as water. The nanoemulsions of theinvention are stable, and do not decompose even after long storageperiods. Certain nanoemulsions of the invention are non-toxic and safewhen swallowed, inhaled, or contacted to the skin of a subject.

The compositions of the invention can be produced in large quantitiesand are stable for many months at a broad range of temperatures. Thenanoemulsion can have textures ranging from that of a semi-solid creamto that of a thin lotion, and can be applied topically by hand, and canbe sprayed onto a surface or nebulized.

As stated above, at least a portion of the emulsion may be in the formof lipid structures including, but not limited to, unilamellar,multilamellar, and paucliamellar lipid vesicles, micelles, and lamellarphases.

The present invention contemplates that many variations of the describednanoemulsions will be useful in the methods of the present invention. Todetermine if a candidate nanoemulsion is suitable for use with thepresent invention, three criteria are analyzed. Using the methods andstandards described herein, candidate emulsions can be easily tested todetermine if they are suitable. First, the desired ingredients areprepared using the methods described herein, to determine if ananoemulsion can be formed. If a nanoemulsion cannot be formed, thecandidate is rejected. Second, the candidate nanoemulsion should form astable emulsion. A nanoemulsion is stable if it remains in emulsion formfor a sufficient period to allow its intended use. For example, fornanoemulsions that are to be stored, shipped, etc., it may be desiredthat the nanoemulsion remain in emulsion form for months to years.Typical nanoemulsions that are relatively unstable, will lose their formwithin a day. Third, the candidate nanoemulsion should have efficacy forits intended use. For example, the emulsions of the invention shouldkill or disable microorganisms in vitro. To determine the suitability ofa particular candidate nanoemulsion against a desired microorganism, thenanoemulsion is exposed to the microorganism for one or more timeperiods in a side-by-side experiment with an appropriate control sample(e.g., a negative control such as water) and determining if, and to whatdegree, the nanoemulsion kills or disables the microorganism.

The nanoemulsion of the invention can be provided in many differenttypes of containers and delivery systems. For example, in someembodiments of the invention, the nanoemulsions are provided as aliquid, lotion, cream or other solid or semi-solid form. Thenanoemulsions of the invention may be incorporated into hydrogelformulations.

The nanoemulsions can be delivered (e.g., to a subject or customers) inany suitable container. Suitable containers can be used that provide oneor more single use or multi-use dosages of the nanoemulsion for thedesired application. In some embodiments of the invention, thenanoemulsions are provided in a suspension or liquid form. Suchnanoemulsions can be delivered in any suitable container including spraybottles (e.g., pressurized spray bottles, nebulizers).

In some embodiments, a nanoemulsion comprises from about 5 vol. % ofTWEEN 80, from about 8 vol. % of ethanol, from about 1 vol. % of CPC,about 64 vol. % of oil (e.g., soybean oil), and about 22 vol. % of DiH₂O(designated herein as W₈₀5EC). In yet another alternative embodiment, ananoemulsion comprises from about 5 vol. % of TWEEN 80, from about 8vol. % of ethanol, about 64 vol. % of oil (e.g., soybean oil), and about23 vol. % of DiH₂O (designated herein as W₈₀5E).

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a nanoemulsioncomprising from about 5 vol. % of Poloxamer-407, from about 8 vol. % ofethanol, from about 1 vol. % of CPC, about 64 vol. % of oil (e.g.,soybean oil), and about 22 vol. % of DiH₂O (designated herein asP₄₀₇5EC). Although an understanding of the mechanism is not necessary topractice the present invention, and the present invention is not limitedto any particular mechanism, in some embodiments, a nanoemulsioncomprising Poloxamer-407 does not elicit and/or augment immune responses(e.g., in the lung) in a subject. In some embodiments, various dilutionsof a nanoemulsion provided herein (e.g., P₄₀₇5EC) can be utilized totreat (e.g., kill and/or inhibit growth of) bacteria. In someembodiments, undiluted nanoemulsion is utilized. In some embodiments,P₄₀₇5EC is diluted (e.g., in serial, two fold dilutions) to obtain adesired concentration of one of the constituents of the nanoemulsion(e.g., CPC).

In still other embodiments of the present invention, a nanoemulsioncomprises from about 5 vol. % of TWEEN 20, from about 8 vol. % ofethanol, from about 1 vol. % of CPC, about 64 vol. % of oil (e.g.,soybean oil), and about 22 vol. % of DiH₂O (designated herein asW₂₀5EC).

In some embodiments of the present invention, a nanoemulsion comprisesfrom about 4 to 8 vol. % of TRITON X-100, from about 5 to 8 vol. % ofTBP, about 30 to 70 vol. % of oil (e.g., soybean or olive oil), andabout 0 to 30 vol. % of aqueous phase (e.g., DiH₂O or PBS).Additionally, certain of these embodiments further comprise about 1 vol.% of CPC, about 1 vol. % of benzalkonium chloride, about 1 vol. %cetylyridinium bromide, about 1 vol. % cetyldimethyletylammoniumbromide, 500 μM EDTA, about 10 mM ammonium chloride, about 5 mM Inosine,and about 5 mM L-alanine. For example, in a certain preferredembodiment, a nanoemulsion comprises about 8 vol. % of TRITON X-100,about 8 vol. % of TBP, about 64 vol. % of soybean oil, and about 20 vol.% of DiH₂O (designated herein as X8P). In another embodiment of thepresent invention, a nanoemulsion comprises about 8 vol. % of TRITONX-100, about 8 vol. % of TBP, about 1% of CPC, about 64 vol. % ofsoybean oil, and about 19 vol. % of DiH₂O (designated herein as X8PC).

The candidate emulsion should form a stable emulsion. An emulsion isstable if it remains in emulsion form for a sufficient period to allowits intended use (e.g., to generate an immune response in a subject).For example, for emulsions that are to be stored, shipped, etc., it maybe desired that the composition remain in emulsion form for months toyears. Typical emulsions that are relatively unstable, will lose theirform within a day. For example, a candidate composition made of 8%1-butanol, 5% TWEEN 10, 1% CPC, 64% soybean oil, and 22% DiH₂O does notform a stable emulsion. In some embodiments, nanoemulsions of thepresent invention are stable for over a week, over a month, or over ayear.

The present invention is not limited by the type of subject administereda composition of the present invention. The present invention is notlimited by the particular formulation of a composition comprising ananoemulsion adjuvant of the present invention. Indeed, a compositioncomprising a nanoemulsion of the present invention may comprise one ormore different agents in addition to the nanoemulsion. These agents orcofactors include, but are not limited to, adjuvants, surfactants,additives, buffers, solubilizers, chelators, oils, salts, therapeuticagents, drugs, bioactive agents, antibacterials, and antimicrobialagents (e.g., antibiotics, antivirals, etc.). In some embodiments, acomposition comprising a nanoemulsion of the present invention comprisesan agent and/or co-factor that enhance the ability of the nanoemulsionto induce an immune response. In some preferred embodiments, thepresence of one or more co-factors or agents reduces the amount ofnanoemulsion required for inducing an immune response. The presentinvention is not limited by the type of co-factor or agent used in atherapeutic agent of the present invention.

In some embodiments, a co-factor or agent used in a nanoemulsioncomposition is a bioactive agent. For example, in some embodiments, thebioactive agent may be a bioactive agent useful in a cell (e.g., a cellexpressing a cancer antigen). Bioactive agents, as used herein, includediagnostic agents such as radioactive labels and fluorescent labels.Bioactive agents also include molecules affecting the metabolism of acell (e.g., a cell expressing a cancer antigen), including peptides,nucleic acids, and other natural and synthetic drug molecules. Bioactiveagents include, but are not limited to, adrenergic agent; adrenocorticalsteroid; adrenocortical suppressant; alcohol deterrent; aldosteroneantagonist; amino acid; ammonia detoxicant; anabolic; analeptic;analgesic; androgen; anesthesia, adjunct to; anesthetic; anorectic;antagonist; anterior pituitary suppressant; anthelmintic; anti-acneagent; anti-adrenergic; anti-allergic; anti-amebic; anti-androgen;anti-anemic; anti-anginal; anti-anxiety; anti-arthritic; anti-asthmatic;anti-atherosclerotic; antibacterial; anticholelithic;anticholelithogenic; anticholinergic; anticoagulant; anticoccidal;anticonvulsant; antidepressant; antidiabetic; antidiarrheal;antidiuretic; antidote; anti-emetic; anti-epileptic; anti-estrogen;antifibrinolytic; antifungal; antiglaucoma agent; antihemophilic;antihemorrhagic; antihistamine; antihyperlipidemia;antihyperlipoproteinemic; antihypertensive; antihypotensive;anti-infective; anti-infective, topical; anti-inflammatory;antikeratinizing agent; antimalarial; antimicrobial; antimigraine;antimitotic; antimycotic, antinauseant, antineoplastic, antineutropenic,antiobessional agent; antiparasitic; antiparkinsonian; antiperistaltic,antipneumocystic; antiproliferative; antiprostatic hypertrophy;antiprotozoal; antipruritic; antipsychotic; antirheumatic;antischistosomal; antiseborrheic; antisecretory; antispasmodic;antithrombotic; antitussive; anti-ulcerative; anti-urolithic; antiviral;appetite suppressant; benign prostatic hyperplasia therapy agent; bloodglucose regulator; bone resorption inhibitor; bronchodilator; carbonicanhydrase inhibitor; cardiac depressant; cardioprotectant; cardiotonic;cardiovascular agent; choleretic; cholinergic; cholinergic agonist;cholinesterase deactivator; coccidiostat; cognition adjuvant; cognitionenhancer; depressant; diagnostic aid; diuretic; dopaminergic agent;ectoparasiticide; emetic; enzyme inhibitor; estrogen; fibrinolytic;fluorescent agent; free oxygen radical scavenger; gastrointestinalmotility effector; glucocorticoid; gonad-stimulating principle; hairgrowth stimulant; hemostatic; histamine H2 receptor antagonists;hormone; hypocholesterolemic; hypoglycemic; hypolipidemic; hypotensive;imaging agent; immunizing agent; immunomodulator; immunoregulator;immunostimulant; immunosuppressant; impotence therapy adjunct;inhibitor; keratolytic; LHRH agonist; liver disorder treatment;luteolysin; memory adjuvant; mental performance enhancer; moodregulator; mucolytic; mucosal protective agent; mydriatic; nasaldecongestant; neuromuscular blocking agent; neuroprotective; NMDAantagonist; non-hormonal sterol derivative; oxytocic; plasminogenactivator; platelet activating factor antagonist; platelet aggregationinhibitor; post-stroke and post-head trauma treatment; potentiator;progestin; prostaglandin; prostate growth inhibitor; prothyrotropin;psychotropic; pulmonary surface; radioactive agent; regulator; relaxant;repartitioning agent; scabicide; sclerosing agent; sedative;sedative-hypnotic; selective adenosine A1 antagonist; serotoninantagonist; serotonin inhibitor; serotonin receptor antagonist; steroid;stimulant; suppressant; symptomatic multiple sclerosis; synergist;thyroid hormone; thyroid inhibitor; thyromimetic; tranquilizer;amyotrophic lateral sclerosis agent; cerebral ischemia agent; Paget'sdisease agent; unstable angina agent; uricosuric; vasoconstrictor;vasodilator; vulnerary; wound healing agent; xanthine oxidase inhibitor.

Molecules useful as antimicrobials can be delivered by the methods andcompositions of the invention. Antibiotics that may find use inco-administration with a composition comprising a nanoemulsion of thepresent invention include, but are not limited to, agents or drugs thatare bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic (e.g., inhibiting replication ofbacteria or inhibiting synthesis of bacterial components required forsurvival of the infecting organism), including, but not limited to,almecillin, amdinocillin, amikacin, amoxicillin, amphomycin,amphotericin B, ampicillin, azacitidine, azaserine, azithromycin,azlocillin, aztreonam, bacampicillin, bacitracin, benzylpenicilloyl-polylysine, bleomycin, candicidin, capreomycin,carbenicillin, cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefamandole, cefazoline, cefdinir,cefepime, cefixime, cefinenoxime, cefinetazole, cefodizime, cefonicid,cefoperazone, ceforanide, cefotaxime, cefotetan, cefotiam, cefoxitin,cefpiramide, cefpodoxime, cefprozil, cefsulodin, ceftazidime,ceftibuten, ceftizoxime, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, cephacetrile,cephalexin, cephaloglycin, cephaloridine, cephalothin, cephapirin,cephradine, chloramphenicol, chlortetracycline, cilastatin, cinnamycin,ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, clavulanic acid, clindamycin, clioquinol,cloxacillin, colistimethate, colistin, cyclacillin, cycloserine,cyclosporine, cyclo-(Leu-Pro), dactinomycin, dalbavancin, dalfopristin,daptomycin, daunorubicin, demeclocycline, detorubicin, dicloxacillin,dihydrostreptomycin, dirithromycin, doxorubicin, doxycycline,epirubicin, erythromycin, eveminomycin, floxacillin, fosfomycin, fusidicacid, gemifloxacin, gentamycin, gramicidin, griseofulvin, hetacillin,idarubicin, imipenem, iseganan, ivermectin, kanamycin, laspartomycin,linezolid, linocomycin, loracarbef, magainin, meclocycline, meropenem,methacycline, methicillin, mezlocillin, minocycline, mitomycin,moenomycin, moxalactam, moxifloxacin, mycophenolic acid, nafcillin,natamycin, neomycin, netilmicin, niphimycin, nitrofurantoin, novobiocin,oleandomycin, oritavancin, oxacillin, oxytetracycline, paromomycin,penicillamine, penicillin G, penicillin V, phenethicillin, piperacillin,plicamycin, polymyxin B, pristinamycin, quinupristin, rifabutin,rifampin, rifamycin, rolitetracycline, sisomicin, spectrinomycin,streptomycin, streptozocin, sulbactam, sultamicillin, tacrolimus,tazobactam, teicoplanin, telithromycin, tetracycline, ticarcillin,tigecycline, tobramycin, troleandomycin, tunicamycin, tyrthricin,vancomycin, vidarabine, viomycin, virginiamycin, BMS-284,756, L-749,345,ER-35,786, S-4661, L-786,392, MC-02479, Pep5, RP 59500, and TD-6424.

In some embodiments, a composition comprising a nanoemulsion of thepresent invention comprises one or more mucoadhesives (See, e.g., U.S.Pat. App. No. 20050281843, hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety). The present invention is not limited by the type ofmucoadhesive utilized. Indeed, a variety of mucoadhesives arecontemplated to be useful in the present invention including, but notlimited to, cross-linked derivatives of poly(acrylic acid) (e.g.,carbopol and polycarbophil), polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrollidone,polysaccharides (e.g., alginate and chitosan), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, lectins, fimbrial proteins, and carboxymethylcellulose.Although an understanding of the mechanism is not necessary to practicethe present invention and the present invention is not limited to anyparticular mechanism of action, in some embodiments, use of amucoadhesive (e.g., in a composition comprising a nanoemulsion) enhancesan immune response in a host subject due to an increase in durationand/or amount of exposure to the nanoemulsion that a subject experienceswhen a mucoadhesive is used compared to the duration and/or amount ofexposure to the nanoemulsion in the absence of using the mucoadhesive.

In some embodiments, a composition of the present invention may comprisesterile aqueous preparations. Acceptable vehicles and solvents include,but are not limited to, water, Ringer's solution, phosphate bufferedsaline and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile,fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspendingmedium. For this purpose any bland fixed mineral or non-mineral oil maybe employed including synthetic mono-ordi-glycerides. In addition, fattyacids such as oleic acid find use in the preparation of injectables.Carrier formulations suitable for mucosal, pulmonary, subcutaneous,intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous, or administration via otherroutes may be found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, MackPublishing Company, Easton, Pa.

A composition comprising a nanoemulsion of the present invention can beused therapeutically or as a prophylactic. A composition comprising ananoemulsion of the present invention can be administered to a subjectvia a number of different delivery routes and methods.

For example, the compositions of the present invention can beadministered to a subject (e.g., mucosally or by pulmonary route) bymultiple methods, including, but not limited to: being applied to asurface; being sprayed onto a surface using a spray applicator; beingmixed with a mucoadhesive and applied (e.g., sprayed or wiped) onto asurface (e.g., mucosal or pulmonary surface); being placed on orimpregnated onto a nasal and/or pulmonary applicator and applied; beingapplied by a controlled-release mechanism; applied using a nebulizer,aerosolized, being applied as a liposome; or being applied on a polymer.

In some embodiments, compositions of the present invention areadministered mucosally (e.g., using standard techniques; See, e.g.,Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, Mack PublishingCompany, Easton, Pa., 19th edition, 1995 (e.g., for mucosal deliverytechniques, including intranasal and pulmonary techniques), as well asEuropean Publication No. 517,565 and Ilium et al., J. Controlled Rel.,1994, 29:133-141 (e.g., for techniques of intranasal administration),each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). Thepresent invention is not limited by the route of administration.

Methods of intranasal and pulmonary administration are well known in theart, including the administration of a droplet or spray form of thenanoemulsion into the nasopharynx of a subject to be treated. In someembodiments, a nebulized or aerosolized composition comprising ananoemulsion is provided. Enteric formulations such as gastro resistantcapsules for oral administration, suppositories for rectal or vaginaladministration may also form part of this invention. Compositions of thepresent invention may also be administered via the oral route. Underthese circumstances, a composition comprising a nanoemulsion maycomprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and/or include alkalinebuffers, or enteric capsules. Formulations for nasal delivery mayinclude those with dextran or cyclodextran and saponin as an adjuvant.

In some embodiments, a nanoemulsion vaccine of the present invention isadministered via a pulmonary delivery route and/or means. For example,in some embodiments, an aqueous solution containing the nanoemulsion isgently and thoroughly mixed to form a solution. The solution is sterilefiltered (e.g., through a 0.2 micron filter) into a sterile, enclosedvessel. Under sterile conditions, the solution is passed through anappropriately small orifice to make droplets (e.g., between 0.1 and 10microns).

The particles may be administered using any of a number of differentapplicators. Suitable methods for manufacture and administration aredescribed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,592,904; 6,518,239;6,423,344; 6,294,204; 6,051,256 and 5,997,848 to INHALE (now NEKTAR);and U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,309; RE37,053; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,436,443;6,447,753; 6,503,480; and 6,635,283, to Edwards, et al. (MIT, AIR), eachof which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Thus, in some embodiments, compositions of the present invention areadministered by pulmonary delivery. For example, a composition of thepresent invention can be delivered to the lungs of a subject (e.g., ahuman) via inhalation (See, e.g., Adjei, et al. Pharmaceutical Research1990; 7:565-569; Adjei, et al. Int. J. Pharmaceutics 1990; 63:135-144;Braquet, et al. J. Cardiovascular Pharmacology 1989 143-146; Hubbard, etal. (1989) Annals of Internal Medicine, Vol. III, pp. 206-212; Smith, etal. J. Clin. Invest. 1989; 84:1145-1146; Oswein, et al. “Aerosolizationof Proteins”, 1990; Proceedings of Symposium on Respiratory DrugDelivery II Keystone, Colorado; Debs, et al. J. Immunol. 1988;140:3482-3488; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,656 to Platz, et al, each ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). A methodand composition for pulmonary delivery of drugs for systemic effect isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,569 to Wong, et al., herebyincorporated by reference; See also U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,655 to Licalsiet al., hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety)). In someembodiments, a composition comprising a nanoemulsion is administered toa subject by more than one route or means (e.g., administered viapulmonary route as well as a mucosal route).

Further contemplated for use in the practice of this invention are awide range of mechanical devices designed for pulmonary and/or nasalmucosal delivery of pharmaceutical agents including, but not limited to,nebulizers, metered dose inhalers, and powder inhalers, all of which arefamiliar to those skilled in the art. Some specific examples ofcommercially available devices suitable for the practice of thisinvention are the ULTRAVENT nebulizer (Mallinckrodt Inc., St. Louis,Mo.); the ACORN II nebulizer (Marquest Medical Products, Englewood,Colo.); the VENTOLIN metered dose inhaler (Glaxo Inc., Research TrianglePark, N.C.); and the SPINHALER powder inhaler (Fisons Corp., Bedford,Mass.). All such devices require the use of formulations suitable fordispensing of the therapeutic agent. Typically, each formulation isspecific to the type of device employed and may involve the use of anappropriate propellant material, in addition to the usual diluents,adjuvants, surfactants, carriers and/or other agents useful in therapy.Also, the use of liposomes, microcapsules or microspheres, inclusioncomplexes, or other types of carriers is contemplated.

Thus, in some embodiments, a composition comprising a nanoemulsion ofthe present invention may be used to protect and/or treat a subjectsusceptible to, or suffering from, a disease (e.g., cancer) by means ofadministering compositions comprising a nanoemulsion by mucosal,intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intradermal, transdermal, pulmonary,intravenous, subcutaneous or other route of administration describedherein. Methods of systemic administration of the nanoemulsion and/oragent co-administered with the nanoemulsion may include conventionalsyringes and needles, or devices designed for ballistic delivery (See,e.g., WO 99/27961, hereby incorporated by reference), or needlelesspressure liquid jet device (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,556; U.S.Pat. No. 5,993,412, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference),or transdermal patches (See, e.g., WO 97/48440; WO 98/28037, each ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference). In some embodiments, thepresent invention provides a delivery device for systemicadministration, pre-filled with the nanoemulsion vaccine composition ofthe present invention.

In some embodiments, a nanoemulsion cancer vaccine of the invention isadministered to a subject with cancer. A subject may be one who has(e.g., that is clinically diagnosed (e.g., via biopsy, x-ray, bloodtest, etc.) as having) or that suspected of having cancer (e.g., of anystage or progression state (e.g., metastatic cancer)). In someembodiments, a subject administered a vaccine of the invention is asubject that has undergone surgery to remove cancer. In someembodiments, a subject administered a vaccine of the invention is asubject that is in remission. In some embodiments, a subjectadministered a vaccine of the invention is a subject that has one ormore lymph nodes that test positive for cancer.

As described above, the present invention is not limited by the type ofsubject administered a composition of the present invention. Indeed, awide variety of subjects are contemplated to be benefited fromadministration of a composition of the present invention. In someembodiments, the subject is a human. In some embodiments, human subjectsare of any age (e.g., adults, children, infants, etc.) that have, havehad, or that are likely to have recurrence of (e.g., that are inremission) cancer.

In some embodiments a composition comprising a nanoemulsion of thepresent invention is administered (e.g., to a subject (e.g., viapulmonary and/or mucosal route)) as a therapeutic or as a prophylacticto prevent cancer, cancer growth and/or cancer metastasis (e.g., tumormetastasis).

In some embodiments, vaccine compositions of the invention compriseadjunct components conventionally found in pharmaceutical compositions.For example, the compositions may contain additional, compatible,pharmaceutically-active materials such as, for example, antipruritics,astringents, local anesthetics or anti-inflammatory agents, or maycontain additional materials useful in physically formulating variousdosage forms of the compositions of the present invention, such as dyes,flavoring agents, preservatives, antioxidants, opacifiers, thickeningagents and stabilizers. However, such materials, when added, preferablydo not unduly interfere with the biological activities of the componentsof the compositions of the present invention. The formulations can besterilized and, if desired, mixed with auxiliary agents (e.g.,lubricants, preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers,salts for influencing osmotic pressure, buffers, colorings, flavoringsand/or aromatic substances and the like) that do not deleteriouslyinteract with the nanoemulsion. In some embodiments, nanoemulsionvaccine compositions of the present invention are administered in theform of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. When used the salts shouldbe pharmaceutically acceptable, but non-pharmaceutically acceptablesalts may conveniently be used to prepare pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof. Such salts include, but are not limited to, thoseprepared from the following acids: hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulphuric,nitric, phosphoric, maleic, acetic, salicylic, p-toluene sulphonic,tartaric, citric, methane sulphonic, formic, malonic, succinic,naphthalene-2-sulphonic, and benzene sulphonic. Also, such salts can beprepared as alkaline metal or alkaline earth salts, such as sodium,potassium or calcium salts of the carboxylic acid group.

Suitable buffering agents include, but are not limited to, acetic acidand a salt (1-2% w/v); citric acid and a salt (1-3% w/v); boric acid anda salt (0.5-2.5% w/v); and phosphoric acid and a salt (0.8-2% w/v).Suitable preservatives may include benzalkonium chloride (0.003-0.03%w/v); chlorobutanol (0.3-0.9% w/v); parabens (0.01-0.25% w/v) andthimerosal (0.004-0.02% w/v).

In some embodiments, an immunogenic vaccine composition of the inventionis mixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, more preferablywith an adjuvant to form a vaccine.

In some embodiments, a cancer vaccine of the invention comprises one ormore adjuvants (e.g., a non-specific stimulator of an immune response).In some embodiments, the adjuvant is any immunostimulatory compoundincluding, but not limited to, cytokines, chemokines, cofactors, toxins,plasmodia, and/or synthetic compositions. Exemplary adjuvants include,but are not limited to, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-12, interferon-γ,GMCSP, BCG, aluminum hydroxide, MDP compounds, such as thur-MDP andnor-MDP, CGP (MTP-PE), lipid A, and monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), RIBI,which contains three components extracted from bacteria, MPL, trehalosedimycolate (TDM) and cell wall skeleton (CWS) in a 2% squalene/Tween 80emulsion is also contemplated. MHC antigens may be used. Other adjuvantsinclude complete Freund's adjuvant (a non-specific stimulator of theimmune response containing killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis),incomplete Freund's adjuvants and aluminum hydroxide adjuvant.

In some embodiments, a cancer vaccine of the invention is coadministeredwith a biologic response modifiers (BRM) (e.g., that has been shown toupregulate T cell immunity or downregulate suppressor cell activity).Exemplary BRMs include, but are not limited to, Cimetidine (CIM; 1200mg/d) (Smith/Kline, PA); low-dose Cyclophosphamide (CYP; 300 mg/m2)(Johnson/Mead, NJ), cytokines such as interferon-γ, IL-2, or IL-12 orgenes encoding proteins involved in immune helper functions, such asB-7. A subject can be administered a vaccine generally as describedherein. The vaccine may be mixed with an adjuvant. Boosteradministrations with the same or different vaccine may occur (e.g., atapproximately two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten-weekor more (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 month or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 year or more)) intervals.

Thus, in some embodiments, vaccines of the present invention arepreferably adjuvanted. As described herein, suitable adjuvants includean aluminum salt such as aluminum hydroxide gel (alum) or aluminiumphosphate, but may also be a salt of calcium, magnesium, iron or zinc,or may be an insoluble suspension of acylated tyrosine, or acylatedsugars, cationically or anionically derivatized polysaccharides, orpolyphosphazenes.

In some embodiments, the adjuvant is selected to be a preferentialinducer of either a TH1 or a TH2 type of response. High levels of Th1type cytokines tend to favor the induction of cell mediated immuneresponses to a given antigen, while high levels of Th2 type cytokinestend to favor the induction of humoral immune responses to the antigen.

Distinctions between Th1 and Th2 type immune response are not absolute.In reality a subject will support an immune response which is describedas being predominantly Th1 or predominantly Th2. However, it is oftenconvenient to consider the families of cytokines in terms of thatdescribed in murine CD4+ve T cell clones (See, e.g., Mosmann, andCoffman, (1989) Annual Review of Immunology, 7, p145173). Traditionally,Th1 type responses are associated with the production of INF-γ and IL2cytokines by Tlymphocytes. Other cytokines often directly associatedwith the induction of Th1 type immune responses are not produced byTcells, such as IL12. In contrast, Th2 type responses are associatedwith the secretion of 114, IL5, IL6, IL10. Suitable adjuvant systemsthat promote a predominantly Th1 response include: Monophosphoryl lipidA or a derivative thereof, particularly 3deOacylated monophosphoryllipid A (3DMPL) (for its preparation see, e.g., GB 2220211 A); and acombination of monophosphoryl lipid A, preferably 3deOacylatedmonophosphoryl lipid A, together with an aluminium salt (for examplealuminium phosphate or aluminium hydroxide). In such combinations,antigen and 3DMPL are contained in the same particulate structures,allowing for more efficient delivery of antigenic and immunostimulatorysignals. Studies have shown that 3DMPL is able to further enhance theimmunogenicity of an alumadsorbed antigen (See, e.g., Thoelen et al.Vaccine (1998) 16:70814; EP 689454B1].

In some embodiments, a vaccine comprises the combination of amonophosphoryl lipid A and a saponin derivative, particularly thecombination of QS21 and 3DMPL as disclosed in WO 94/00153, or a lessreactogenic composition where the QS21 is quenched with cholesterol asdisclosed in WO 96/33739. For example, the adjuvant formulationcomprises liposomes containing QS21 and 3DMPL which is either within thevesicle membrane or added following the formulation of the liposomes sothat it is associated with the vesicle membrane but not within thevesicle membrane. A particularly potent adjuvant formulation involvingQS21, 3DMPL and tocopherol in an oil in water emulsion is described inWO 95/17210, and is a preferred formulation. Preferably the vaccineadditionally comprises a saponin, more preferably QS21. The vaccinecompositions may also comprise a nanoemulsion and tocopherol (WO95/17210). The present invention also provides a method for producing avaccine formulation comprising mixing a protein of the present inventiontogether with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, such as 3DMPL.Unmethylated CpG containing oligonucleotides (WO 96/02555) are alsopreferential inducers of a TH1 response and are suitable for use in thepresent invention.

In some embodiments, a vaccine composition of the invention is utilizedwith compositions forming a liposome structure. Liposomes preferablycontain a neutral lipid, for example phosphatidylcholine, which ispreferably noncrystalline at room temperature, for example eggyolkphosphatidylcholine, dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine or dilaurylphosphatidylcholine. The liposomes may also contain a charged lipidwhich increases the stability of the vaccine comprising lipids. In thesecases the amount of charged lipid is preferably 1-20% w/w, mostpreferably 5-10%.

In some embodiments, compositions of the invention contain MPL(3deacylated monophosphoryl lipid A, also known as 3DMPL). 3DMPL is amixture of 3 types of De-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A with 4, 5 or6 acylated chains and is manufactured by Ribi Immunochem, Montana.

Suitable compositions of the invention are those wherein liposomes areinitially prepared without MPL, and MPL is then added, preferably as 100nm particles. The MPL is therefore not contained within the vesiclemembrane (known as MPL out). Compositions where the MPL is containedwithin the vesicle membrane (known as MPL in) also form an aspect of theinvention. The antigen can be contained within the vesicle membrane orcontained outside the vesicle membrane. Preferably soluble antigens areoutside and hydrophobic or lipidated antigens are either containedinside or outside the membrane.

Vaccine preparations of the present invention may be administered (e.g.,therapeutically and/or prophylactically) to protect or treat a subjectby means of administering the vaccine via systemic or mucosal route.These administrations may include injection via the intramuscular,intraperitoneal, intradermal or subcutaneous routes; or via mucosaladministration to the oral/alimentary, respiratory, genitourinarytracts. In some preferred embodiments, administration is intranasal.Although a vaccine of the invention may be administered as a singledose, components thereof may also be co-administered together at thesame time or at different times (for example, whole cell vaccines may beadministered separately, at the same time or 12 weeks after theadministration of any protein component of the vaccine for optimalcoordination of the immune responses with respect to each other). Forco-administration, the optional adjuvant (e.g., Th1 and/or Th2 adjuvant)may be present in any or all of the different administrations. Inaddition to a single route of administration, two or more differentroutes of administration may be used. For example, whole cell lysatevaccines may be nasally administered and vaccines comprising a proteincomponent may be administered via intra-dermally. In addition, thevaccines of the invention may be administered for priming doses and/orfor booster doses.

The amount of cancer antigen in each vaccine dose is selected as anamount that induces an immunoprotective response without significant,adverse side effects in typical vaccines. Such amount will varydepending upon which specific cancer immunogen/antigen and/or pluralitythereof are employed and how it is presented. In some embodiments, theamount of immunogen (e.g., cancer antigen) is an amount effective atinducing an immune response to the immunogen.

In some embodiments, vaccines comprising protein components (e.g., aprotein subcomponent of a cancer cell (e.g., recombinant cancer cellprotein) generally comprise from 0.0001-0.1 μg, 0.1-100 μg, 100-200 μg,200-500 μg, 500-1000 μg, or more of antigen, preferably 0.1-50 μg,preferably 0.1-10 μg, more preferably 1-10 μg, of which 1 to 5 μg is amore preferable range.

In some embodiments, the content of protein antigens in the vaccine willtypically be in the range 1-100 μg, preferably 5-50 μg, most typicallyin the range 5-25 μg. Following an initial vaccination, subjects mayreceive one or several booster immunizations adequately spaced.

Vaccines of the present invention may be stored in solution orlyophilized. Preferably the solution is lyophilized in the presence of asugar such as sucrose, trehalose or lactose. In some embodiments, it ispreferable that the vaccines are lyophilized and extemporaneouslyreconstituted prior to use.

Antibodies and Passive Immunization

Another aspect of the invention is a method of preparing an immuneglobulin for use in prevention or treatment of cancer comprising thesteps of immunizing a subject with an immunogenic composition comprisinga nanoemulsion and one or more cancer immunogens of the invention andisolating immune globulin from the recipient. An immune globulinprepared by this method is a further aspect of the invention. Apharmaceutical composition comprising the immune globulin of theinvention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is a further aspectof the invention (e.g., that are utilized in the manufacture of amedicament for the treatment or prevention of cancer). A method fortreatment or prevention of cancer comprising a step of administering toa subject an effective amount of the pharmaceutical preparation of theinvention is a further aspect of the invention.

Inocula for polyclonal antibody production are typically prepared bydispersing the antigenic composition in a physiologically tolerablediluent such as saline or other adjuvants suitable for human use to forman aqueous composition. An immunostimulatory amount of inoculum isadministered to a subject and the inoculated subject is then maintainedfor a time sufficient for the antigenic composition to induce protectiveantibodies.

The antibodies can be isolated to the extent desired by well knowntechniques such as affinity chromatography (See, e.g., Harlow and LaneAntibodies; a laboratory manual 1988).

Antibodies include antiserum preparations from a variety of commonlyused animals e.g. goats, primates, rabbits, donkeys, swine, horses,guinea pigs, rats or man. The animals are bled and serum recovered.

An immune globulin produced in accordance with the present invention caninclude whole antibodies, antibody fragments or subfragments. Antibodiescan be whole immunoglobulins of any class e.g. IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD orIgE, chimeric antibodies or hybrid antibodies with dual specificity totwo or more antigens of the invention. They may also be fragments e.g.F(ab′)2, Fab′, Fab, Fv and the like including hybrid fragments. Animmune globulin also includes natural, synthetic or geneticallyengineered proteins that act like an antibody by binding to specificantigens to form a complex.

Monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to cancer (e.g., a cancerantigen and/or immunogen) can be prepared using any technique whichprovides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous celllines in culture. These techniques include, but are not limited to, thehybridoma technique, the human B cell hybridoma technique, and the EBVhybridoma technique (See, e.g., Kohler et al., Nature 256, 495 497,1985; Kozbor et al., J. Immunol. Methods 81, 3142, 1985; Cote et al.,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 80, 2026 2030, 1983; Cole et al., Mol. Cell.Biol. 62, 109 120, 1984).

In addition, techniques developed for the production of “chimericantibodies,” the splicing of mouse antibody genes to human antibodygenes to obtain a molecule with appropriate antigen specificity andbiological activity, can be used (See, e.g., Morrison et al., Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. 81, 68516855, 1984; Neuberger et al., Nature 312, 604608, 1984; Takeda et al., Nature 314, 452 454, 1985). Monoclonal andother antibodies also can be “humanized” to prevent a patient frommounting an immune response against the antibody when it is usedtherapeutically. Such antibodies may be sufficiently similar in sequenceto human antibodies to be used directly in therapy or may requirealteration of a few key residues. Sequence differences between rodentantibodies and human sequences can be minimized by replacing residueswhich differ from those in the human sequences by site directedmutagenesis of individual residues or by grating of entirecomplementarity determining regions.

Alternatively, humanized antibodies can be produced using recombinantmethods, as described below. Antibodies which specifically bind to aparticular antigen can contain antigen binding sites which are eitherpartially or fully humanized, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,332.

Alternatively, techniques described for the production of single chainantibodies can be adapted using methods known in the art to producesingle chain antibodies which specifically bind to a particular antigen.Antibodies with related specificity, but of distinct idiotypiccomposition, can be generated by chain shuffling from randomcombinatorial immunoglobin libraries (See, e.g., Burton, Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. 88, 11120 23, 1991).

Single-chain antibodies also can be constructed using a DNAamplification method, such as PCR, using hybridoma cDNA as a template(See, e.g., Thirion et al., 1996, Eur. J. Cancer Prey. 5, 507-11).Single-chain antibodies can be mono- or bispecific, and can be bivalentor tetravalent. Construction of tetravalent, bispecific single-chainantibodies is taught, for example, in Coloma & Morrison, 1997, Nat.Biotechnol. 15, 159-63. Construction of bivalent, bispecificsingle-chain antibodies is taught, for example, in Mallender & Voss,1994, J. Biol. Chem. 269, 199-206.

A nucleotide sequence encoding a single-chain antibody can beconstructed using manual or automated nucleotide synthesis, cloned intoan expression construct using standard recombinant DNA methods, andintroduced into a cell to express the coding sequence, as describedbelow. Alternatively, single-chain antibodies can be produced directlyusing, for example, filamentous phage technology (See, e.g., Verhaar etal., 1995, Int. J. Cancer 61, 497-501; Nicholls et al., 1993, J.Immunol. Meth. 165, 81-91).

Antibodies which specifically bind to a particular antigen also can beproduced by inducing in vivo production in the lymphocyte population orby screening immunoglobulin libraries or panels of highly specificbinding reagents as disclosed in the literature (See, e.g., Orlandi etal., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 86, 3833 3837, 1989; Winter et al., Nature349, 293 299, 1991).

Chimeric antibodies can be constructed as disclosed in WO 93/03151.Binding proteins which are derived from immunoglobulins and which aremultivalent and multispecific, such as the “diabodies” described in WO94/13804, also can be prepared. Antibodies can be purified by methodswell known in the art. For example, antibodies can be affinity purifiedby passage over a column to which the relevant antigen is bound. Thebound antibodies can then be eluted from the column using a buffer witha high salt concentration.

A vaccine of the present invention can be administered to a subject whothen acts as a source of immune globulin, produced in response tochallenge from the specific vaccine. A subject thus treated would donateplasma from which hyperimmune globulin would be obtained viaconventional plasma fractionation methodology. The hyperimmune globulinwould be administered to another subject in order to impart resistanceagainst or treat staphylococcal infection. Hyperimmune globulins of theinvention are particularly useful for treatment or prevention ofstaphylococcal disease in infants, immune compromised individuals orwhere treatment is required and there is no time for the individual toproduce antibodies in response to vaccination.

An additional aspect of the invention is a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising two of more monoclonal antibodies (or fragments thereof;preferably human or humanized) reactive against at least twoconstituents of the immunogenic composition of the invention, whichcould be used to treat or prevent cancer and/or cancer metastasis.

Such pharmaceutical compositions comprise monoclonal antibodies that canbe whole immunoglobulins of any class e.g. IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD or IgE,chimeric antibodies or hybrid antibodies with specificity to two or moreantigens of the invention. They may also be fragments e.g. F(ab′)2,Fab′, Fab, Fv and the like including hybrid fragments.

Methods of making monoclonal antibodies are well known in the art andcan include the fusion of splenocytes with myeloma cells (See, e.g.,Kohler and Milstein 1975 Nature 256; 495; Antibodies—a laboratory manualHarlow and Lane 1988). Alternatively, monoclonal Fv fragments can beobtained by screening a suitable phage display library (See, e.g.,Vaughan T J et al 1998 Nature Biotechnology 16; 535). Monoclonalantibodies may be humanized or part humanized by known methods.

The invention also encompasses method of making the immunogeniccompositions and vaccines of the invention.

A preferred process of the invention, is a method to make a vaccinecomprising the steps of mixing one or more antigens and one or morenanoemulsions to make an immunogenic composition of the invention.Optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and/or adjuvant isadded.

Methods of Treatment

The invention also encompasses method of treatment and/or prevention ofcancer and/or cancer metastasis. In some embodiments, a vaccinecomposition of the invention is utilized with other types of cancertreatment or therapy. For example, in some embodiments, a vaccinecomposition is utilized together with (e.g., before, during and/orafter) surgery to remove cancer. Such patients will know the date ofsurgery in advance and could be inoculated in advance. As describedherein, the amount of antigen/immunogen (e.g., whole cancer cells (e.g.,that have undergone freeze-thaw lysis and/or other type of membranedisruption), homogenized cells (e.g., cancer cells (e.g., a cancer cellline or genetically modified cancer cells), cells (e.g., cancer cells(e.g., that have been exposed to UV radiation), one or a plurality oftumor associated antigens (e.g., recombinant and/or purified proteinantigens), cells modified (e.g., genetically modified) to express (e.g.,over-express) one or a plurality of tumor associated antigens, one or aplurality of protein components (e.g., isolated and/or purified and/orrecombinant protein) from one or a plurality of cancer cells, and/or oneor more adjuvants (e.g., a nanoemulsion adjuvant and/or non-nanoemulsionadjuvant) is selected as an amount which induces an immunoprotectiveand/or therapeutic response without significant, adverse side effects intypical vaccines.

Although the vaccines of the present invention may be administered byany route, administration of the described vaccines to intranasal mucosaforms a preferred embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, avaccine is injected into the skin, and in particular the dermis, tostimulate an immune response. In some embodiments, intradermalvaccination with the vaccines described herein forms a preferredembodiment of the invention.

Devices that are specifically designed to administer liquid agents intoor across the skin have been described, for example the devicesdescribed in WO 99/34850 and EP 1092444, also the jet injection devicesdescribed for example in WO 01/13977; U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,381, U.S. Pat.No. 5,599,302, U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,144, U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,412, U.S.Pat. No. 5,649,912, U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,189, U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,911,U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,851, U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,397, U.S. Pat. No.5,466,220, U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,163, U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,335, U.S. Pat.No. 5,503,627, U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,413, U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,639, U.S.Pat. No. 4,596,556, U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,824, U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,880,U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,460, WO 97/37705 and WO 97/13537. Alternativemethods of intradermal administration of the vaccine preparations mayinclude conventional syringes and needles, or devices designed forballistic delivery of solid vaccines (WO 99/27961), or transdermalpatches (WO 97/48440; WO 98/28037); or applied to the surface of theskin (transdermal or transcutaneous delivery WO 98/20734; WO 98/28037).

In some embodiments, when the vaccines of the present invention are tobe administered (e.g., via mucosal route, intradermally, etc.), thevaccine is in a low liquid volume, particularly a volume of betweenabout 0.025 ml and 0.5 ml, or more preferably 0.05 ml and 0.2 ml,although lower and higher volume doses may be utilized. In someembodiments, the content of antigens in the intradermal and/or mucosalvaccines of the present invention may be similar to conventional dosesas found in intramuscular vaccines.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a use of theimmunogenic composition of the invention in the manufacture of a vaccinefor treatment or prevention of cancer.

The present invention also includes methods involving co-administrationof a composition comprising a nanoemulsion vaccine with one or moreadditional active agents. In co-administration procedures, the agentsmay be administered concurrently or sequentially. In one embodiment, thecompositions described herein are administered prior to the other activeagent(s). The pharmaceutical formulations and modes of administrationmay be any of those described herein. In addition, the two or moreco-administered agents may each be administered using different modes(e.g., routes) or different formulations. The additional agents to beco-administered (e.g., anti-cancer agents (e.g., chemotherapeutic), asecond type of nanoemulsion vaccine, etc.) can be any of the well-knownagents in the art, including, but not limited to, those that arecurrently in clinical use.

In some embodiments, a composition comprising a nanoemulsion isadministered to a subject via more than one route. For example, asubject may benefit from receiving mucosal administration (e.g., nasaladministration or other mucosal routes described herein) and,additionally, receiving one or more other routes of administration(e.g., pulmonary administration (e.g., via a nebulizer, inhaler, orother methods described herein.

Other delivery systems can include time-release, delayed release orsustained release delivery systems. Such systems can avoid repeatedadministrations of the compositions, increasing convenience to thesubject and a physician. Many types of release delivery systems areavailable and known to those of ordinary skill in the art. They includepolymer based systems such as poly (lactide-glycolide), copolyoxalates,polycaprolactones, polyesteramides, polyorthoesters, polyhydroxybutyricacid, and polyanhydrides. Microcapsules of the foregoing polymerscontaining drugs are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,109,hereby incorporated by reference. Delivery systems also includenon-polymer systems that are: lipids including sterols such ascholesterol, cholesterol esters and fatty acids or neutral fats such asmono-di- and tri-glycerides; hydrogel release systems; sylastic systems;peptide based systems; wax coatings; compressed tablets usingconventional binders and excipients; partially fused implants; and thelike. Specific examples include, but are not limited to: (a) erosionalsystems in which an agent of the invention is contained in a form withina matrix such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,452,775, 4,675,189,and 5,736,152, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference and (b)diffusional systems in which an active component permeates at acontrolled rate from a polymer such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,854,480, 5,133,974 and 5,407,686, each of which is hereby incorporatedby reference. In addition, pump-based hardware delivery systems can beused, some of which are adapted for implantation.

The present invention is not limited by the amount of nanoemulsionvaccine used. The amount will vary depending upon which specificnanoemulsion vaccine (s) is/are employed, and can vary from subject tosubject, depending on a number of factors including, but not limited to,the species, age and general condition (e.g., health) of the subject,and the mode of administration. Procedures for determining theappropriate amount of nanoemulsion vaccine administered to a subject toinduce an immune response in a subject can be readily determined usingknown means by one of ordinary skill in the art.

In some embodiments, it is expected that each dose (e.g., of acomposition comprising a nanoemulsion vaccine comprises 1-40%nanoemulsion, in some embodiments, 20% nanoemulsion, in some embodimentsless than 20% (e.g., 15%, 10%, 8%, 5% or less nanoemulsion), and in someembodiments greater than 20% nanoemulsion (e.g., 25%, 30%, 35%, 40% ormore nanoemulsion). An optimal amount for a particular administrationcan be ascertained by one of skill in the art using standard studiesinvolving observation of immune responses described herein.

In some embodiments, it is expected that each dose (e.g., of acomposition comprising a nanoemulsion vaccine is from 0.001 to 40% ormore (e.g., 0.001-10%, 0.5-5%, 1-3%, 2%, 6%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40% ormore) by weight nanoemulsion.

Similarly, the present invention is not limited by the duration of timea vaccine is administered to a subject (e.g., to induce immune primingand/or responses). In some embodiments, a vaccine is administered one ormore times (e.g. twice, three times, four times or more) daily. In someembodiments, a composition comprising a vaccine is administered one ormore times a day until a suitable level of immune response is generatedand/or the immune response is sustained. In some embodiments, acomposition comprising a vaccine of the present invention is formulatedin a concentrated dose that can be diluted prior to administration to asubject. For example, dilutions of a concentrated composition may beadministered to a subject such that the subject receives any one or moreof the specific dosages provided herein. In some embodiments, dilutionof a concentrated composition may be made such that a subject isadministered (e.g., in a single dose) a composition comprising 0.5-50%of the vaccine present in the concentrated composition. Concentratedcompositions are contemplated to be useful in a setting in which largenumbers of subjects may be administered a composition of the presentinvention. In some embodiments, a composition comprising a nanoemulsionvaccine of the present invention (e.g., a concentrated composition) isstable at room temperature for more than 1 week, in some embodiments formore than 2 weeks, in some embodiments for more than 3 weeks, in someembodiments for more than 4 weeks, in some embodiments for more than 5weeks, and in some embodiments for more than 6 weeks.

Dosage units may be proportionately increased or decreased based onseveral factors including, but not limited to, the weight, age, andhealth status of the subject. In addition, dosage units may be increasedor decreased for subsequent administrations.

It is contemplated that the compositions and methods of the presentinvention will find use in various settings, including researchsettings. For example, compositions and methods of the present inventionalso find use in studies of the immune system (e.g., characterization ofadaptive immune responses (e.g., protective immune responses (e.g.,mucosal or systemic immunity))). Uses of the compositions and methodsprovided by the present invention encompass human and non-human subjectsand samples from those subjects, and also encompass researchapplications using these subjects. Compositions and methods of thepresent invention are also useful in studying and optimizingnanoemulsions, immunogens, and other components and for screening fornew components. Thus, it is not intended that the present invention belimited to any particular subject and/or application setting.

The formulations can be tested in vivo in a number of animal modelsdeveloped for the study of pulmonary, mucosal and other routes ofdelivery. As is readily apparent, the compositions of the presentinvention are useful for preventing and/or treating a wide variety ofcancers and/or metastasis and/or other types of abnormal tissue orcellular growth. Not only can the compositions be used prophylacticallyor therapeutically, the compositions can also be used, as describedabove, in order to prepare antibodies (immune globulins), bothpolyclonal and monoclonal. In some embodiments, preparation of an immuneglobulin as described herein is utilized for the immunopurification ofan antigen (e.g., a cancer antigen) of interest.

In one embodiment, the nanoemulsion vaccines of the present inventionare useful for generating antigen-specific antibodies that are useful inthe specific identification of that antigen (e.g., cancer antigen) in animmunoassay according to a diagnostic embodiment. Such immunoassaysinclude enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), RIAs and othernon-enzyme linked antibody binding assays or procedures known in theart. In ELISA assays, the antigen-specific antibodies are immobilizedonto a selected surface; for example, the wells of a polystyrenemicrotiter plate. After washing to remove incompletely adsorbedantibodies, a nonspecific protein, such as a solution of bovine serumalbumin (BSA) or casein, that is known to be antigenically neutral withregard to the test sample may be bound to the selected surface. Thisallows for blocking of nonspecific adsorption sites on the immobilizingsurface and thus reduces the background caused by nonspecific bindingsof antigens onto the surface. The immobilizing surface is then contactedwith a sample, such as clinical or biological materials, to be tested ina manner conducive to immune complex (antigen/antibody) formation. Thismay include diluting the sample with diluents, such as BSA, bovine gammaglobulin (BGG) and/or phosphate buffered saline (PBS)/Tween. The sampleis then allowed to incubate for about 2 to 4 hours, at temperatures suchas of the order of about 25-37° C. Following incubation, thesample-contacted surface is washed to remove non-immunocomplexedmaterial. The washing procedure may include washing with a solution suchas PBS/Tween, or a borate buffer.

Following formation of specific immunocomplexes between the antigen inthe test sample and the bound antigen-specific antibodies, andsubsequent washing, the occurrence, and even amount, of immunocomplexformation may be determined by subjecting the immunocomplex to a secondantibody having specificity for the antigen. To provide detecting means,the second antibody may have an associated activity, such as anenzymatic activity, that will generate, for example, a color developmentupon incubating with an appropriate chromogenic substrate.Quantification may then be achieved by measuring the degree of colorgeneration using, for example, a visible spectra spectrophotometer. Inan additional embodiment, the present invention includes a diagnostickit comprising antigen-specific antibodies generated by immunization ofa host with immunogenic compositions produced according to the presentinvention.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a kit comprising acomposition comprising a nanoemulsion vaccine. In some embodiments, thekit further provides a device for administering the composition. Thepresent invention is not limited by the type of device included in thekit. In some embodiments, the device is configured for nasal and/orpulmonary application of the composition of the present invention (e.g.,a nasal inhaler or nasal mister). In some embodiments, a kit comprises acomposition comprising a nanoemulsion vaccine in a concentrated form(e.g., that can be diluted prior to administration to a subject).

In some embodiments, all kit components are present within a singlecontainer (e.g., vial or tube). In some embodiments, each kit componentis located in a single container (e.g., vial or tube (e.g., ananoemulsion adjuvant is present in one container and an immunogen ispresent in a second, separate container)). In some embodiments, one ormore kit components are located in a single container (e.g., vial ortube) with other components of the same kit being located in a separatecontainer (e.g., vial or tube). In some embodiments, a kit comprises abuffer. In some embodiments, the kit further comprises instructions foruse.

Animal Models

In some embodiments, nanoemulsion vaccine compositions (e.g., forgenerating an immune response) are tested in animal models of cancer,metastasis and/or other type of abnormal cellular growth. The use ofwell-developed animal models provides a method of measuring theeffectiveness and safety of a vaccine before administration to humansubjects.

Assays for Evaluation of Adjuvants and Vaccines

In some embodiments, nanoemulsion vaccines are evaluated using one ofseveral suitable model systems. For example, cell-mediated immuneresponses can be evaluated in vitro. In addition, an animal model may beused to evaluate in vivo immune responses (e.g., toward irregular celland/or tissue growth and/or metastasis in a subject).

In addition, the stability of emulsion-developed vaccines is evaluated,particularly over time and storage condition, to ensure that vaccinesare effective long-term. The ability of other stabilizing materials(e.g., dendritic polymers) to enhance the stability and immunogenicityof vaccines is also evaluated.

Once a given nanoemulsion vaccine has been formulated, the ability ofthe vaccine to elicit an immune response (e.g., and provide prophylacticand/or therapeutic benefits) is optimized. For example, the timing anddosage of the vaccine can be varied and the most effective dosage andadministration schedule determined. The level of immune response isquantified by measuring serum antibody levels. In addition, in vitroassays are used to monitor proliferation activity by measuringH³-thymidine uptake. In addition to proliferation, Th1 and Th2 cytokineresponses (e.g., including but not limited to, levels of include IL-2,TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, IL-11, IL-12, etc.) are measured toqualitatively evaluate the immune response.

Finally, animal models are utilized to evaluate the effect of ananoemulsion mucosal vaccine. In some embodiments, the level of immuneresponse is evaluated by challenging animals (e.g., with specificcancerous and/or metastatic cells and/or agents) and subsequentlyevaluating the level of disease (e.g., presence of cancer and/ormetastasis (See, e.g., Example 8). The level of immunity is measuredover time to determine the necessity and spacing of boosterimmunizations.

In some embodiments, a composition comprising a nanoemulsion adjuvantdescribed herein (e.g., with or without an immunogen) comprises one ormore additional adjuvants that induce and/or skew toward a Th1-typeresponse. However, in other embodiments, it will be preferred that acomposition comprising a nanoemulsion adjuvant described herein (e.g.,with or without an immunogen) comprises one or more additional adjuvantsthat induce and/or skew toward a Th2-type response.

In general, an immune response is generated to an antigen through theinteraction of the antigen with the cells of the immune system. Immuneresponses may be broadly categorized into two categories: humoral andcell mediated immune responses (e.g., traditionally characterized byantibody and cellular effector mechanisms of protection, respectively).These categories of response have been termed Th1-type responses(cell-mediated response), and Th2-type immune responses (humoralresponse).

Stimulation of an immune response can result from a direct or indirectresponse of a cell or component of the immune system to an intervention(e.g., exposure to an immunogen). Immune responses can be measured inmany ways including activation, proliferation or differentiation ofcells of the immune system (e.g., B cells, T cells, dendritic cells,APCs, macrophages, NK cells, NKT cells etc.); up-regulated ordown-regulated expression of markers and cytokines; stimulation of IgA,IgM, or IgG titer; splenomegaly (including increased spleencellularity); hyperplasia and mixed cellular infiltrates in variousorgans. Other responses, cells, and components of the immune system thatcan be assessed with respect to immune stimulation are known in the art.

In some embodiments, a composition comprising a vaccine of the presentinvention comprises one or more mucoadhesives (See, e.g., U.S. Pat. App.No. 20050281843, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). Thepresent invention is not limited by the type of mucoadhesive utilized.Indeed, a variety of mucoadhesives are contemplated to be useful in thepresent invention including, but not limited to, cross-linkedderivatives of poly(acrylic acid) (e.g., carbopol and polycarbophil),polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrollidone, polysaccharides (e.g.,alginate and chitosan), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lectins, fimbrialproteins, and carboxymethylcellulose. In some embodiments, one or morecomponents of the vaccine function as a mucoadhesive (e.g.,individually, or in combination with other components of the NEadjuvant). Although an understanding of the mechanism is not necessaryto practice the present invention and the present invention is notlimited to any particular mechanism of action, in some embodiments, useof a mucoadhesive (e.g., in a composition comprising a vaccine) enhancesinduction of an immune response (e.g., an innate and/or adaptive immuneresponse) in a subject (e.g., a subject administered a composition ofthe present invention) due to an increase in duration and/or amount ofexposure to an immunogen that a subject experiences when a mucoadhesiveis used compared to the duration and/or amount of exposure to animmunogen in the absence of using the mucoadhesive).

In some embodiments, a composition of the present invention may comprisesterile aqueous preparations. Acceptable vehicles and solvents include,but are not limited to, water, Ringer's solution, phosphate bufferedsaline and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile,fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspendingmedium. For this purpose any bland fixed mineral or non-mineral oil maybe employed including synthetic mono-ordi-glycerides. In addition, fattyacids such as oleic acid find use in the preparation of injectables.Carrier formulations suitable for mucosal, subcutaneous, intramuscular,intraperitoneal, intravenous, or administration via other routes may befound in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company,Easton, Pa.

For example, the compositions of the present invention can beadministered to a subject (e.g., mucosally (e.g., nasal mucosa, vaginalmucosa, etc.)) by multiple methods, including, but not limited to: beingsuspended in a solution and applied to a surface; being suspended in asolution and sprayed onto a surface using a spray applicator; beingmixed with a mucoadhesive and applied (e.g., sprayed or wiped) onto asurface (e.g., mucosal surface); being placed on or impregnated onto anasal and/or vaginal applicator and applied; being applied by acontrolled-release mechanism; being applied as a liposome; or beingapplied on a polymer.

In some preferred embodiments, compositions of the present invention areadministered mucosally (e.g., using standard techniques; See, e.g.,Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, Mack PublishingCompany, Easton, Pa., 19th edition, 1995 (e.g., for mucosal deliverytechniques, including intranasal, pulmonary, vaginal and rectaltechniques), as well as European Publication No. 517,565 and Illum etal., J. Controlled Rel., 1994, 29:133-141 (e.g., for techniques ofintranasal administration), each of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety). Alternatively, the compositions of thepresent invention may be administered dermally or transdermally, usingstandard techniques (See, e.g., Remington: The Science and Practice ofPharmacy, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., 19th edition, 1995). Thepresent invention is not limited by the route of administration.

Although an understanding of the mechanism is not necessary to practicethe present invention and the present invention is not limited to anyparticular mechanism of action, in some embodiments, mucosal vaccinationis the preferred route of administration as it has been shown thatmucosal administration of antigens has a greater efficacy of inducingprotective immune responses at mucosal surfaces (e.g., mucosalimmunity), the route of entry of many pathogens. In addition, mucosalvaccination, such as intranasal vaccination, may induce mucosal immunitynot only in the nasal mucosa, but also in distant mucosal sites such asthe genital mucosa (See, e.g., Mestecky, Journal of Clinical Immunology,7:265-276, 1987). More advantageously, in further preferred embodiments,in addition to inducing mucosal immune responses, mucosal vaccinationalso induces systemic immunity. In some embodiments, non-parenteraladministration (e.g., muscosal administration of vaccines) provides anefficient and convenient way to boost systemic immunity (e.g., inducedby parenteral or mucosal vaccination (e.g., in cases where multipleboosts are used to sustain a vigorous systemic immunity)).

In some embodiments, a composition comprising a nanoemulsion adjuvantand an immunogen of the present invention may be used to protect ortreat a subject susceptible to, or suffering from, disease by means ofadministering a composition of the present invention via a mucosal route(e.g., an oral/alimentary or nasal route). Alternative mucosal routesinclude intravaginal and intra-rectal routes. In preferred embodimentsof the present invention, a nasal route of administration is used,termed “intranasal administration” or “intranasal vaccination” herein.Methods of intranasal vaccination are well known in the art, includingthe administration of a droplet or spray form of the vaccine into thenasopharynx of a subject to be immunized. In some embodiments, anebulized or aerosolized composition comprising a nanoemulsion adjuvantand immunogen is provided. Enteric formulations such as gastro resistantcapsules for oral administration, suppositories for rectal or vaginaladministration also form part of this invention. Compositions of thepresent invention may also be administered via the oral route. Underthese circumstances, a composition comprising a nanoemulsion adjuvantand an immunogen may comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable excipientand/or include alkaline buffers, or enteric capsules. Formulations fornasal delivery may include those with dextran or cyclodextran andsaponin as an adjuvant.

Compositions of the present invention may also be administered via avaginal route. In such cases, a vaccine may comprise pharmaceuticallyacceptable excipients and/or emulsifiers, polymers (e.g., CARBOPOL), andother known stabilizers of vaginal creams and suppositories. In someembodiments, compositions of the present invention are administered viaa rectal route. In such cases, a vaccine may comprise excipients and/orwaxes and polymers known in the art for forming rectal suppositories.

In some embodiments, the same route of administration (e.g., mucosaladministration) is chosen for both a priming and boosting vaccination.In some embodiments, multiple routes of administration are utilized(e.g., at the same time, or, alternatively, sequentially) in order tostimulate an immune response (e.g., using a composition comprising ananoemulsion adjuvant and immunogen of the present invention).

For example, in some embodiments, a composition comprising ananoemulsion vaccine is administered to a mucosal surface of a subjectin either a priming or boosting vaccination regime. Alternatively, insome embodiments, a composition comprising a nanoemulsion vaccine isadministered systemically in either a priming or boosting vaccinationregime. In some embodiments, a composition comprising a nanoemulsionvaccine is administered to a subject in a priming vaccination regimenvia mucosal administration and a boosting regimen via systemicadministration. In some embodiments, a composition comprising ananoemulsion vaccine is administered to a subject in a primingvaccination regimen via systemic administration and a boosting regimenvia mucosal administration. Examples of systemic routes ofadministration include, but are not limited to, a parenteral,intramuscular, intradermal, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitonealor intravenous administration.

In some embodiments, compositions of the present invention areadministered by pulmonary delivery. For example, a composition of thepresent invention can be delivered to the lungs of a subject (e.g., ahuman) via inhalation (e.g., thereby traversing across the lungepithelial lining to the blood stream (See, e.g., Adjei, et al.Pharmaceutical Research 1990; 7:565-569; Adjei, et al. Int. J.Pharmaceutics 1990; 63:135-144; Braquet, et al. J. CardiovascularPharmacology 1989 143-146; Hubbard, et al. (1989) Annals of InternalMedicine, Vol. III, pp. 206-212; Smith, et al. J. Clin. Invest. 1989;84:1145-1146; Oswein, et al. “Aerosolization of Proteins”, 1990;Proceedings of Symposium on Respiratory Drug Delivery II Keystone,Colorado; Debs, et al. J. Immunol. 1988; 140:3482-3488; and U.S. Pat.No. 5,284,656 to Platz, et al, each of which are hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety). A method and composition for pulmonarydelivery of drugs for systemic effect is described in U.S. Pat. No.5,451,569 to Wong, et al., hereby incorporated by reference; See alsoU.S. Pat. No. 6,651,655 to Licalsi et al., hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety)).

Further contemplated for use in the practice of this invention are awide range of mechanical devices designed for pulmonary and/or nasalmucosal delivery of pharmaceutical agents including, but not limited to,nebulizers, metered dose inhalers, and powder inhalers, all of which arefamiliar to those skilled in the art. Some specific examples ofcommercially available devices suitable for the practice of thisinvention are the Ultravent nebulizer (Mallinckrodt Inc., St. Louis,Mo.); the Acorn II nebulizer (Marquest Medical Products, Englewood,Colo.); the Ventolin metered dose inhaler (Glaxo Inc., Research TrianglePark, N.C.); and the Spinhaler powder inhaler (Fisons Corp., Bedford,Mass.). All such devices require the use of formulations suitable fordispensing of the therapeutic agent. Typically, each formulation isspecific to the type of device employed and may involve the use of anappropriate propellant material, in addition to the usual diluents,adjuvants, surfactants, carriers and/or other agents useful in therapy.Also, the use of liposomes, microcapsules or microspheres, inclusioncomplexes, or other types of carriers is contemplated.

Thus, in some embodiments, a composition comprising a nanoemulsionadjuvant and an immunogen of the present invention may be used toprotect and/or treat a subject susceptible to, or suffering from, adisease by means of administering a compositions comprising ananoemulsion adjuvant and an immunogen by mucosal, intramuscular,intraperitoneal, intradermal, transdermal, pulmonary, intravenous,subcutaneous or other route of administration described herein. Methodsof systemic administration of the vaccine preparations may includeconventional syringes and needles, or devices designed for ballisticdelivery of solid vaccines (See, e.g., WO 99/27961, hereby incorporatedby reference), or needleless pressure liquid jet device (See, e.g., U.S.Pat. No. 4,596,556; U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,412, each of which are herebyincorporated by reference), or transdermal patches (See, e.g., WO97/48440; WO 98/28037, each of which are hereby incorporated byreference). The present invention may also be used to enhance theimmunogenicity of antigens applied to the skin (transdermal ortranscutaneous delivery, See, e.g., WO 98/20734; WO 98/28037, each ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference). Thus, in some embodiments,the present invention provides a delivery device for systemicadministration, pre-filled with the vaccine composition of the presentinvention.

In some embodiments, each dose (e.g., of a composition comprising ananoemulsion vaccine (e.g., administered to a subject to induce animmune response)) is from 0.001 to 25% or more (e.g., 0.001-10%, 0.5-5%,1-3%, 2%, 6%, 10%, 25% or more) by weight immunogen (e.g., (e.g., wholecancer cells (e.g., that have undergone freeze-thaw lysis and/or othertype of membrane disruption), homogenized cells (e.g., cancer cells(e.g., a cancer cell line or genetically modified cancer cells), cells(e.g., cancer cells (e.g., that have been exposed to UV radiation), oneor a plurality of tumor associated antigens (e.g., recombinant and/orpurified protein antigens), cells modified (e.g., genetically modified)to express (e.g., over-express) one or a plurality of tumor associatedantigens, one or a plurality of protein components (e.g., isolatedand/or purified and/or recombinant protein) from one or a plurality ofcancer cells). In some embodiments, an initial or prime administrationdose contains more immunogen than a subsequent boost dose

Generally, the emulsion compositions of the invention will comprise atleast 0.001% to 100%, preferably 0.01 to 90%, of emulsion per ml ofliquid composition. It is envisioned that the formulations may compriseabout 0.001%, about 0.0025%, about 0.005%, about 0.0075%, about 0.01%,about 0.025%, about 0.05%, about 0.075%, about 0.1%, about 0.25%, about0.5%, about 1.0%, about 2.5%, about 5%, about 7.5%, about 10%, about12.5%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%,about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95% or about 100% of emulsion per ml ofliquid composition. It should be understood that a range between any twofigures listed above is specifically contemplated to be encompassedwithin the metes and bounds of the present invention.

EXPERIMENTAL

The following examples are provided in order to demonstrate and furtherillustrate certain preferred embodiments and aspects of the presentinvention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope thereof.

Example 1 Methods of Formulating Emulsions

The emulsion is produced as follows: an oil phase is made by blendingorganic solvent, oil, and surfactant and then heating the resultingmixture at 37-90° C. for up to one hour. The emulsion is formed eitherwith a reciprocating syringe instrumentation or Silverson high sheermixer. The water phase is added to the oil phase and mixed for 1-30minutes, preferably for 5 minutes. For emulsions containing volatileingredients, the volatile ingredients are added along with the aqueousphase.

In one example, the emulsion was formed as follows: an oil phase wasmade by blending tri-butyl phosphate, soybean oil, and a surfactant(e.g., TRITON X-100) and then heating the resulting mixture at 86° C.for one hour. An emulsion was then produced by injecting water into theoil phase at a volume/volume ratio of one part oil phase to four partswater. The emulsion can be produced manually, with reciprocating syringeinstrumentation, or with batch or continuous flow instrumentation.Methods of producing these emulsions are well known to those of skill inthe art and are described in e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,103,497; and4,895,452, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,015,832, 6,506,803, 6,559,189,6,635,676, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 20040043041, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Table 2 shows theproportions of each component, the pH, and the size of the emulsion asmeasured on a Coulter LS130 laser sizing instrument equipped with acirculating water bath.

TABLE 2 Mean Mean Chemical Percentage Coulter Coulter Components of EachSize (in Range (in of Emulsion Component pH Microns) Microns) X8P TRITONX-100  2% Tributyl phosphate  2% 5.16 1.074 0.758-1.428 Oil (ex. Soybean) 16% Water 80% X8P 0.1 * TRITON X-100 0.20%   5.37 0.9440.625-1.333 Tributyl phosphate 0.20%   Oil (ex. Soy bean) 1.60%   Water98% * This emulsion was obtained by diluting the X8P emulsion with waterin a ratio of 1:9

The emulsions utilized in the present invention are highly stable.Indeed, emulsions were produced as described above and allowed to standovernight at room temperature in sealed, different sizes ofpolypropylene tubes, beakers or flasks. The emulsions were thenmonitored for signs of separation. Emulsions that showed no signs ofseparation were considered “stable.” Stable emulsions were thenmonitored over 1 year and were found to maintain stability.

Emulsions were again produced as described above and allowed to standovernight at −20° C. in sealed 50 mL polypropylene tubes. The emulsionswere then monitored for signs of separation. Emulsions that showed nosigns of separation were considered “stable.” The X8P and X8P 0.1,emulsions have been found to be substantially unchanged after storage atroom temperature for at least 24 months.

Example 2 Novel Adjuvant Composition and Methods of Using the Same toSkew T-Helper-Type Immune Responses

Cells (JawsII) were treated in vitro with a 0.0001% dilution of Tween80-based nanoemulsion (NE) (W₈₀5EC), or poloxamer 407-based NE(P₄₀₇5EC), with either the NE alone or mixed with recombinant protectiveantigen of B. anthracis (rPA). Control cells were incubated with eitherrPA alone, or with protein kinase C (PKC) pathway activators, phorbolmyristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin (Iono). Microarray analysis oftranscription activation was performed after cells were treatedcontinuously for 6 or 24 hours. RNA was subsequently isolated,amplified, and then gene expression analyzed using a 45,000 probesetmouse GENECHIP 430.20 at the University of Michigan Comprehensive CancerCenter (UMCCC) Microarray Core Facility. The GENECHIP 430.20 MAPKpathway includes 670 probesets and the GENECHIP 430.20 TCR pathwayincludes 268 probesets. Experiments were conducted to determine theability of Tween and poloxamer-based nanoemulsions (e.g., W₈₀5EC andP₄₀₇5EC) to skew immune responses (e.g., towards a Th1 or Th2 immuneresponse). Gene expression profiling in dendritic cells was utilized asa qualitative and quantitative means of determining the ability ofnanoemulsion adjuvants to skew immune responses.

Microarray analysis of the full 45,000 probset revealed significantlyaltered gene expression subsequent to administration of PMA/Iono (SeeFIG. 1). 1346 genes exhibited increases and 766 genes exhibiteddecreases after 6 hours. Administration of W₈₀5EC, with or without rPA,also resulted in large changes in gene expression. 898 genes exhibitedincreases and 514 genes exhibiting decreases after 6 hours.Administration of P₄₀₇5EC, with or without rPA, also altered geneexpression, with 18 genes displaying enhanced expression and 116displaying reduced expression after 6 hours of exposure to thenanoemulsion. Longer exposure periods resulted in an increase in thenumber of genes with alteration in expression (See FIG. 1).

Example 3 NE Adjuvant Alters Gene Expression

Analysis of gene transcription patterns demonstrated that W₈₀5EC has aunique effect on gene expression in dendritic cells. W₈₀5EC-inducedchanges in JawsII transcription are not dependent on presence ofantigenic rPA protein and are in stark contrast to the minimal effect ofP₄₀₇5EC NE (See FIG. 1). Analysis of specific signaling pathwaysincluding mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), T-cell receptor(TCR), B-cell receptor, Toll-like receptors, apoptosis and others,indicate unique patterns of gene expression in cells, subsequent toadministration of the NE to the cells. A significant increase in theprotein kinase and MAPK associated gene transcripts was identified inall analyzed pathways.

Genes associated with the MAPK pathway displayed altered expressionlevels subsequent to administration of W₈₀5EC NE (See FIG. 2). A largenumber of alterations in gene expression were observed for the W₈₀5ECNE-treated cells, whereas fewer numbers of genes displaying alteredexpression was observed for the P₄₀₇5EC NE- or rPA-treated cells.Altered gene expression was observed at both 6 and 24 hours.

TCR pathway associated genes also exhibited significantly alteredexpression upon treatment with W₈₀5EC NE, whereas little or no effectwas observed for the P₄₀75EC NE- or rPA-treated cells (FIG. 3). AlteredTCR pathway associated gene expression was observed at both 6 and 24hours.

An increase in the expression of dendritic cell maturation markers DC83and CD86 was observed post-administration of NE (FIG. 4). There was nosignificant activation of Toll-like receptor transcription, orexpression of hallmark inflammatory cytokines (e.g. INF-γ, TNF-α. IL-12IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), under the experimental conditions tested.

Example 4 Novel Adjuvant Composition and Methods of Using the Same toRe-Direct Th2-Polarized Immune Responses

Experiments were conducted to determine if Th1- and/or Th2-type immuneresponse could be redirected (e.g., towards Th2-type or Th-1 type immuneresponses, respectively) by administration of an NE adjuvant. In orderto elicit a Th2 immune response, mice (CD-1) were immunizedintramuscularly with alum-adsorbed Hepatitis B virus surface antigen(HBsAg). Analysis of serum IgG subclass and cytokine expressionconfirmed prevalence of IgG1 subclass antibodies and Th2 pattern ofcytokine expression, thus demonstrating that the mice had an establishedTh2-type immune response. The mice were then administered a single,intranasal immunization of nanoemulsion adjuvant (independently or withan immunogenic protein (e.g., HBsAg or rPA). Titers of IgG2a and IgG2bsubclass antibodies rose in mice after NE nasal immunization, and theirsplenic lymphocytes produced IFN-γ, a Th1-type cytokine. Production ofTh1-type cytokines demonstrated redirection of the established Th2-typeimmune response towards a Th1-type immune response. No localinflammatory response was observed in the nares of NE exposed animals,and no local production of IL-12 or other Th1-associated cytokines wereobserved. Thus, the present invention provides the ability to redirectTh2-polarized immune responses in a subject toward a Th1-type immuneresponse via exposing the subject to (e.g., nasally administering) a NEadjuvant (e.g., in the presence or absence of other components (e.g.,immunogenic antigens and/or polypeptides). In cases where NE adjuvantwas administered with antigens (e.g., HBsAg), antigen was foundthroughout the immune system within 24 hours after nasal administration.Thus, in some embodiments, the present invention provides that dendriticcells engage (e.g., engulf) nanoemulsion and/or antigens presenttherein.

Example 5 Nanoemulsion Adjuvant Charge Alters Antigen Immunogenicity

Experiments were conducted to characterize nanoemulsion adjuvantcomponents. Mice were vaccinated with three variant (e.g., that possessvariant physical characteristics) antigens, ovalbumin (OVA, a mainprotein found in egg white), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and lysozyme.Each antigen was formulated separately in each of the followingnanoemulsions: W805EC, W805E or P4075EC. Dilutions (1:200, 1:500 and1:1000 dilutions) of each formulation were administered intranasally(IN) to mice. Antigens suspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) andadministered intranasally (IN) or subcutaneously (SC) were utilized ascontrols. Mice were bled nine weeks post administration. Serum IgG wasmonitored using ELISA. The optical density (indicative of serum IgGconcentration) was measured (See FIGS. 6-8).

Vaccines formulations containing W805E (lacking the cationic compoundCPC) had a negative surface potential, while vaccine formulations withthe cationic compound CPC (W805EC and P4075EC) had a positive surfacepotential. Formulations comprising W805E produced an immune responsethat was not above the level observed for control animals intranasallyadministered the antigen in Phosphate Buffered Saline (See FIGS. 6-8).Formulations comprising a positively charged nanoemulsion (e.g.,comprising the cationic compound CPC) produced robust immune responsesthat were many times the level of the control animals (See FIGS. 6-8).Thus, the present invention provides that positively charged nanoemusionadjuvants (e.g., comprising a positive surface charge (e.g., due to thepresence of a cationic compound (e.g., CPC))) possess greater efficacyat eliciting immune responses than nanoemulsion adjuvants lacking apositive charge (e.g., lacking a positive surface charge (e.g., due tothe absence of a cationic compound (e.g., CPC))). Although anunderstanding of a mechanism is not necessary to practice the presentinvention, and the present invention is not limited to any particularmechanism of action, in some embodiments, a nanoemulsion adjuvantpossessing a positive charge (e.g., a positive surface charge (e.g., dueto the presence of a cationic compound in the nanoemulsion (e.g., CPC)))possesses greater adhesion to mucosa than non-positively chargedemulsions (e.g., due to the positively charged surface of the emulsion).In some embodiments, a nanoemulsion adjuvant possessing a positivecharge (e.g., a positive surface charge (e.g., due to the presence of acationic compound in the nanoemulsion (e.g., CPC))) is more readilyinternalized by phagocytic cells (e.g., macrophages, dendritic cells, Bcells, etc.) than is a non-positively charged nanoemulsion (e.g.,leading to greater internalization of antigen (e.g., by antigenpresenting cells), processing of antigen, and/or presentation of antigento B and/or T cells). Thus, in some embodiments, greater internalizationand/or processing of antigen, and/or presentation of antigen to B and/orT cells leads to a stronger, more robust immune response (e.g., to anantigen administered in a nanoemulsion possessing a positive charge(e.g., a positive surface charge (e.g., due to the presence of acationic compound in the nanoemulsion (e.g., CPC))).

Example 6 Nanoemulsion Adjuvants Stimulate and/or Elicit Host InnateImmune Responses

Dendritic cells (JAWS II) and bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDC)were administered W805EC, P4075EC or PMA/ionomycin and alteration ingene expression analyzed. FIG. 9 shows microarray analysis (hierarchicalclustering) of changes in gene expression in (A) JAWS II dendritic cellsand (B) bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDC). Thus, in someembodiments, nanoemulsion adjuvants (e.g., in the absence of immunogen)possess the ability to induce changes in cells administered the adjuvant(e.g., to alter gene expression in antigen presenting cells of thehost). Experiments were conducted to further characterize the ability ofnanoemulsion adjuvants provided herein to induce immune responses inhost subjects.

Nanoemulsion adjuvants were administered to human monocyte cells(THP1-Blue) over a range of different concentrations and the activity ofNF-kB monitored. Nanoemulsion adjuvants comprising a polysorbatedetergent (e.g., TWEEN-80) activated NF-kB in the cells, whereasnanoemulsion adjuvants lacking a polysorbate detergent were unable toactivate NF-kB at low concentrations, and were displayed significantlyreduced ability to activate NF-kB at higher concentrations compared tonanoemulsion adjuvants comprising a polysorbate detergent (See FIG. 10).

Experiments were conducted to determine if the bioactivity of thenanoemulsion adjuvants (e.g., as measured by the activation oftranscriptional factor NF-KB) occurred through the activation ofToll-like receptors (TLRs). NF-KB activation was measured in humanHEK293 clones engineered to express a single specific TLR (See FIG. 11).As shown in FIG. 11, nanoemulsion adjuvants comprising a polysorbatedetergent display that ability to induce signaling via Toll-likereceptor 2 and 4 (TLR2 and TLR4). Although an understanding of amechanism is not necessary to practice the present invention, and thepresent invention is not limited to any particular mechanism of action,in some embodiments, nanoemulsion adjuvants provided herein activateNF-KB response by stimulation of TLRs (e.g., TLR2 and TLR4). Thus, insome embodiments, the present invention provides nanoemulsion adjuvants(e.g., possessing a positive charge (e.g., a positive surface charge(e.g., due to the presence of a cationic compound in the nanoemulsion(e.g., CPC))) that are utilized to increase mucosal adhesion andinternalization (e.g., by dendritic cells) and/or that are utilized toinduce innate immune responses (e.g., TLR signaling, activation of NF-kBand expression of cytokines) in a host subject.

Example 7 Intranasally Administered NE Facilitates Trafficking toImmunological Sites

In order to determine whether NE could be utilized to traffic materials(e.g., cancer antigens) to immunologic sites, mice were intranasallyadministered with either NE mixed with green fluorescent protein (GFP),or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) mixed with GFP. Twenty-four hourspost administration, mice were sacrificed and the sinus, thesubmandibular lymph nodes, and the thymus were examined for the presenceof GFP. The NE facilitated trafficking of GFP to each of these sites(See, e.g., FIG. 12). Thus, in some embodiments, the present inventionprovides that NE can be utilized to deliver material mixed with the NE(e.g., antigens, cells, lysates, etc.) to immunologic sites (e.g., thesinus, lymph nodes, and/or thymus).

Example 8 Nanoemulsion Cancer Vaccine

Experiments were conducted during development of embodiments of theinvention in order to determine whether a nanoemulsion (NE) cancervaccine could be utilized to alter a subject's immune response (e.g., toinduce an immune response (e.g., against cancer (e.g., a tumor (e.g.,one or more tumor associated antigens))) and/or to inhibit induction ofan immune response (e.g., tumor-related immune tolerance (e.g.,resulting from generation of T regulatory cells)). Female C57BL/B6 micewere immunized on day 0 and day 14 with MC-38 whole cell lysate mixedwith NE. Briefly, MC-38 cells were grown to logarithmic phase, spun topellet, washed in phosphate buffered saline, and spun to pellet. Thecell pellet was placed at −20° C. and allowed to freeze, removed andplaced at room temperature and allowed to thaw, and frozen again. Thefreeze-thaw cycle was repeated several times. The cells, postfreeze-thaw cycling, were mixed (vol/vol) with 60% W805EC to obtain a NEcancer vaccine with a final NE concentration of 30%. The NE cancervaccine was utilized for nasal administration (e.g., vaccination) inmice. The final concentration of ingredients in a 10 μl volume ofvaccine was 25,000 MC-38 freeze-thawed cells in PBS (5 μl) mixed with60% W805EC (5 μl). Control mice received PBS, NE+PBS or MC-38freeze-thawed cells+PBS. On day 35, animals were injected intravenouslywith 2×10⁵ MC-38 cells in 200 μL PBS per animal. On day 62, the animalswere sacrificed and the numbers of lung metastases were counted.Examples of a healthy lung and a lung with MC-38 metastases are shown inFIG. 13.

For assessment of metastases, the lung and trachea of each subject weretransected, injected with India ink, and excised en bloc. Subsequently,the specimens are placed in Fekete solution for 24 hours to bleach tumormetastases in the lungs and visualize white pulmonary metastases.Significant inhibition (p<0.05) of metastases was observed in subjectsimmunized with the NE+freeze-thawed MC-38 cells compared with controlgroups (See, e.g., FIG. 14).

Experiments were also conducted to determine the number of T_(regs)cells in the mediastinal lymph nodes of the subjects. Subjects werehumanely euthanized and mediastinal lymph nodes removed. Cells(leukocytes) from mediastinal lymph nodes were isolated and pooled perexperimental group. The cells were stained with anti-Foxp3 antibody (acell marker of T regulatory cells). To further dissect the percentage ofT regulatory cells in CD4 cell population, cells were stained with twoantibodies: one anti-Foxp3 antibody and anti-CD4 antibody (a marker of Thelper lymphocytes). In this way, the percentage of T regulatory cellswas assessed exclusively in T helper cell population. The percentage ofT regulatory cells (Foxp3 positive) was compared to number of allleukocytes (100%) as well as to the number of CD4 positive cells (100%).Remarkably, animals immunized with the NE-cancer vaccine (e.g.,NE+freeze-thawed MC-38 cells) had, on average, the lowest number ofT_(regs) cells both in the leucocyte and in the CD4⁺ lymphocytepopulations (See, e.g., FIG. 15). Thus, in some embodiments, the presentinvention provides NE cancer vaccine compositions and methods of usingthe same to inhibit and/or reduce tumor metastasis and/or cancer growth.In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions (e.g.,NE cancer vaccines) and methods using the same to induce anti-cancerand/or anti-tumor immune responses (e.g., against one or more tumorassociated antigens (e.g., to vaccinate (e.g., prophylactically and/ortherapeutically))) in a subject while concurrently suppressingdevelopment of T regulatory cells in the subject. Thus, in someembodiments, the present invention provides compositions and methods foravoiding immune tolerance (e.g., tumor-related immune tolerance).

Example 9 Nanoemulsion-Based Vaccine Against Cancer in Multiple AnimalModels

Additional experiments were carried out to further characterize immuneresponses generated using compositions and methods of the invention. Twoseparate animal models were utilized. MC-38 murine colon tumor, gradeIII adenocarcinoma (See, e.g., Corbett et al., Cancer Res 1975,35(9):2434-2439) and B16 F10 melanoma cells transfected with ovalbumin(See e.g., Falo et al., Nat Med 1995, 1(7):649-653); both cell linesgrow and produce solid tumors and metastases when implanted intosyngeneic C57BL/B6 mice (See, e.g., Tanigawa et al., J Immunother (1997)2000, 23(5):528-535 and Kawano et al., J Immunol 1986,136(12):4729-4734). The B6 animals were intranasally vaccinated withPBS, PBS+MC38 cell lysate, nanoemulsion (NE)+MC38 cell lysate, orNE+PBS. MC38 cell lysate was generated according to methods described inExample 8. Two weeks after the last vaccination all mice were injectedIV with MC38 cells to induce pulmonary metastasis. Six weeks later micewere sacrificed, lungs excised and the number of metastases was counted.Cells from mediastinal nodes were isolated and stained with a set ofsurface and intracellular antibodies to define relative numbers ofimmuno-competent cells involved in the response to the tumor challenge.

In the second animal model, using B16 OVA cells, experiments weredesigned and performed as follows. The B6 mice were intranasallyvaccinated with PBS, PBS+ovalbumin, NE+ovalbumin, or cholera toxin(CT)+ovalbumin. One week after the last vaccination all mice wereinjected with 10⁵ B16 OVA cells under the scapula to induce the growthof solid tumor. Mice were monitored for 50 days for tumor growth. Cellsfrom draining nodes were isolated and stained with a set of surface andintracellular antibodies to define relative numbers of immuno-competentcells involved in the response to the tumor challenge. Sera fromexperimental animals were tested for specific anti-ovalbumin antibodyproduction.

The B6 animals were intranasally (10 L volume/animal/vaccination)vaccinated with PBS, PBS+MC38 cell lysate (prepared from 2.5×10⁴cells/animal/vaccination), 20% W₈₀5EC+MC38 cell lysate, or W₈₀5EC+PBS.The MC38 cell lysate was produced by the freezing and thawing proceduredescribed in Example 8 Animals were vaccinated two times, three weeksapart. Two weeks after the last vaccination all mice were challenged IVwith 2×10⁵ MC38 cells in 200 l PBS to induce pulmonary metastasis. Sixweeks later mice were sacrificed, lungs excised and stained with Indiaink, and the number of metastases counted. Cells from mediastinal nodeswere isolated and stained with the following anti-mouse antibodies:anti-CD4, -CD8, -FoxP3, and IFN—to define the relative numbers ofimmuno-competent cells involved in the response to the tumor challenge.

Experiments were also designed and performed using another tumor model.The B6 mice were intranasally vaccinated with PBS, PBS+ovalbumin (20g/animal/vaccination), 20% W₈₀5EC+ovalbumin, or cholera toxin (1g/animal/vaccination)+ovalbumin four times, two weeks apart. One weekafter the last vaccination mice were injected with 10⁵ B16 OVA cells in100 l HBSS under the scapula. The mice were monitored two times a weekfor 50 days for tumor growth Animals with a tumor size no larger than 21mm in diameter were humanely sacrificed. Cells from draining nodes wereisolated and stained with the following anti-mouse antibodies:anti-GR-1, -CD11b, -CD11c, -CD45, -CD90, -CD8a, -IFN-, -IL-17,-IL-2.-FoxP3 to define the relative numbers of immuno-competent cellsinvolved in response to the tumor challenge. Sera from experimentalanimals were tested for specific anti-ovalbumin antibody production andthe IgG2c subclass of antibody was determined

B6 mice intranasally vaccinated with MC38 cell lysate as described abovewere challenged IV with MC38 cells to induce pulmonary metastasis.Specifically, B6 mice were intranasally vaccinated with PBS, PBS+MC38cell lysate, 20% W₈₀5EC+MC38 cell lysate, or 20% W₈₀5EC+PBS two times,three weeks apart. Two weeks after the last vaccination all mice wereinjected IV with 2×10⁵ MC38 cells in 200 l PBS. Six weeks later the micewere sacrificed, lungs were excised and stained with India ink, and thenumber of metastases counted. FIG. 16 shows the number of metastasesfound in each experimental group of animals.

The highest number of metastases was found in animals vaccinated withW₈₀5EC+PBS (average number of metastasis 16). In the experimental groupvaccinated with W₈₀5EC+MC38 cell lysate the average number of metastaseswas 9.5. In order to examine the relative numbers of immuno-competentcells from all experimental groups, mediastinal nodes were harvested andcells isolated and stained with anti-CD4, -CD8, -FoxP3, and-IFN-antibodies. The percentage of CD4 or CD8 cells producing IFN—isshown in FIG. 17. The range of CD4/IFN- and CD8/IFN-double positivecells across all experimental groups was 6.7-7.8 and 10-12.5%,respectively. A slight decrease was observed in the percentage ofFoxP3/CD4 double positive cells in the experimental group immunized withNE+MC38 cell lysate (See FIG. 17A).

The B16 OVA tumor model was utilized to study the development ofprotective immunity against a challenge with B16 OVA cells afterintranasal vaccination with ovalbumin. B6 mice were intranasallyvaccinated with PBS, PBS+ovalbumin (20 g/animal/vaccination), 20%W₈₀5EC+ovalbumin, or cholera toxin (CT) (1g/animal/vaccination)+ovalbumin four times, two weeks apart. One weekafter the last vaccination all mice were injected with 10⁵ B16 OVA cellsin 100 l HBSS under the scapula. Mice were monitored two times a weekfor 50 days for tumor growth. Animals with tumor size approximately 20mm in diameter were humanely sacrificed. The challenge data arepresented in FIG. 18. Animals from the experimental group vaccinatedwith ovalbumin and CT did not develop tumors and through the end of theexperiment (50 days after challenge) did not show any signs of diseasewhereas more than 80% of animals from all other groups developed tumorswithin 30 days. To assess the number of CD8 anti-ovalbumin specificcells in experimental animals cells from draining lymph nodes wereisolated and stained simultaneously with MHC 10VA-PE pentamer (whichbinds to CD8 positive cells) and CD8a-FITC antibody (See FIG. 19). Thepercentage of MHC 10VA-PE pentamer positive cells out of CD8 positivecells is shown in Table 3 below.

TABLE 3 Percentage of double CD8 and MHC I OVA pentamer cells indraining lymph nodes. Percentage of CD8/ Experimental groups N = Pent.positive cells SD Naïve/no challenged 3 2.7 0.6 Naïve/challenged 3 2.60.8 OVA + NE/vaccinated/challenged 3 6.1 1.9 OVA +CT/vaccinated/challenged 3 2.4 0.4 OVA + PBS/vaccinated/challenged 3 3.01.2

There was an increase in percentage of CD8⁺/pentamer⁺ in theexperimental group of mice vaccinated with NE+OVA and challenged withB16 OVA as compared to other experimental groups. The percentage ofdifferent subsets of immuno-competent cells obtained from nave andvaccinated animals after a two week challenge with B16 OVA cells wasalso analyzed. FIG. 20 represents data obtained from this experiment. Anincrease in the percentage of both CD4 and CD8 cells which producedIFN—along with an increased percentage of CD4 cells which were IL-17positive in the group of animals vaccinated with NE+ovalbumin wasobserved. The percentage of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) wasto some extent elevated in the group vaccinated with NE+ovalbumin.Further, the titer of specific antibodies in the sera of experimentalanimals was measured. The IgG-all specific response to ovalbumin as wellas the IgG2c subclass specific response was characterized. As shown inFIG. 21, NE+ovalbumin and CT+ovalbumin induced a similar quantity ofspecific IgG-all antibodies. A considerable difference in the quantityof specific IgG2c subclass antibodies between these two groups (FIG. 22)was also observed. The group of animals vaccinated with CT+ovalbumindeveloped more IgG2c subclass antibodies than mice vaccinated withNE+ovalbumin as measured by end titer using ELISA. The implication ofIgG2c specific antibodies in the resistance to tumor challenge has beenreported before by Lambert et al (See, e.g., Lambert et al., J Immunol2004, 172(2):929-936).

All publications and patents mentioned in the above specification areherein incorporated by reference. Various modifications and variationsof the described compositions and methods of the invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been describedin connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should beunderstood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited tosuch specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of thedescribed modes for carrying out the invention that are obvious to thoseskilled in the relevant fields are intended to be within the scope ofthe present invention.

1-32. (canceled)
 33. A composition for stimulating a cancer specificimmune response comprising: a) a nanoemulsion; and b) a cancerimmunogen.
 34. The composition of claim 33, wherein said cancerimmunogen comprises cancer cells.
 35. The composition of claim 34,wherein said cancer cells are selected from the group consisting ofcancer cells that have undergone freeze-thaw lysis and cancer cells thathave been exposed to UV radiation.
 36. The composition of claim 33,wherein said cancer immunogen comprises one or a plurality of tumorassociated antigens.
 37. The composition of claim 36, wherein said tumorassociated antigens are selected from the group consisting ofrecombinant tumor associated antigens and purified tumor associatedantigens.
 38. The composition of claim 33, wherein said compositionfurther comprises an adjuvant.
 39. The composition of claim 38, whereinsaid adjuvant induces a T helper cell type 1 immune response whenadministered to a subject.
 40. A method of inducing a cancer specificimmune response in a subject comprising: A) providing: i) a compositionfor stimulating a cancer specific immune response comprising: a) ananoemulsion; and b) a cancer immunogen; and ii) a subject, and B)administering the composition to said subject under conditions such thatsaid subject produces a cancer specific immune response.
 41. The methodof claim 40, wherein said method decreases the incidence of cancermetastasis in said subject.
 42. The method of claim 40, wherein saidcancer specific immune response provides an immunoprotective and/ortherapeutic response in said subject.
 43. The method of claim 40,wherein said method is utilized post-surgical removal of cancer in saidsubject.
 44. The method of claim 40, wherein said method produces a Thelper cell type 1 response in said subject.
 45. The method of claim 44,wherein said method induces memory cytotoxic T lymphocytes in saidsubject.
 46. The method of claim 40, wherein the composition isadministered via intranasal instillation.
 47. The method of claim 40,wherein administration of the composition results in cancer immunogendelivered to immunological sites in said subject.
 48. The method ofclaim 47, wherein said immunological sites are selected from the groupconsisting of the sinus, lymph nodes, and thymus.
 49. The method ofclaim 40, wherein the subject is susceptible to recurrence of cancer.50. A method of treating a disease comprising administering to a subjecta pharmaceutical composition comprising an immunologically effectiveamount of a composition comprising a nanoemulsion and a cancerimmunogen.
 51. The method of claim 50, wherein said disease is aproliferative cell disorder or cancer.
 52. The method of claim 51,wherein said cancer is selected from the group consisting of breastcancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, colorectal cancer, lungcancer, renal cancer, melanoma, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, braincancer, sarcomas, and a combination thereof.